I had the time of my life in Cape Town! Past Review
By Deborah-Virginia K (Sociology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/25/2017 to 12/07/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights
I learned that the people in your program will make the trip. Try your best to make friends within your program. These are people that you will see 75%-80% of the time so make an effort to get along with them.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic coordinator did a really good job of organizing speakers and excursions (i.e. walking tours, museum visits, site visits). Each speaker provided me with insight into South African history and culture. They used a variety of media and some even used activities to get the main teaching points across. On another note, SIT informed the students of different resources (i.e. local libraries, the online SIT database, and homestay relatives, other students). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Generally speaking, I felt very integrated. I have my first homestay family to than for that. My homestay brothers would show me around the neighborhood and give me advice about how I should conduct myself in public. For example, they would say do not have your phone out because that is a prime indicator that you are an outsider. With that being said, acquaint yourself with your homestay family and your neighborhood. It will add to your experience! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Unfortunately, my group was robbed during an excursion in Johannesburg. It was truly a crime of circumstance and opportunity. The SIT staff supported us every step of the way and ensured that we replaced our belongings. **Please, please, please have copies of your passport and make additional copies of your visa. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The staff, the homestay families, and the other students made the program a very unique one. It was nice to interact with people who have similar and different interests. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving your money as soon as possible, and be sure to apply for scholarships. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FREN 300 (intermediate) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice the language with your host families. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that I did not have exchange my money ahead of time. It is cheaper to withdraw cash from an ATM. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
