Challenging and transformative experience both educationally and personally! Past Review
By Tori M (Education and Social Justice, Villanova University) - abroad from 08/17/2017 to 11/30/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Social and Political Transformation
This program provided me with an entirely new lens on issues like race and socioeconomic status, and taught me the power of human connection. SO worthwhile.
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. |
Intense program and academically rigorous; an extremely profound program that makes you leave your comfort zone and truly integrate yourself into the culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff of this program is incredible and so supportive. I really enjoyed working with all the staff members and I am so appreciative that they were there for me throughout the program, and they all taught me so much in and out of the classroom. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Homestays were one of my favorite parts of this program. SIT emphasizes homestays in order to fully immerse students in the culture and although I was extremely nervous going in, I absolutely loved that I got to live with 3 South African families in different parts of Durban. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because of the homestays and the activities the program provides for students, I felt incredibly integrated, which was challenging but one of the best parts of this program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was diagnosed with mumps while in Durban, and I was able to utilize International SOS and my program resources and saw a doctor on the day I started feeling pain. Program staff helped me communicate with International SOS and accompanied me to the doctor's office, where there was no language barrier. For reference, I had had the vaccination for mumps but acquired it anyways. I did need specific vaccinations prior to this program. SIT and my doctor's office helped me decide which ones were absolutely necessary and which ones were not. Although SIT recommended it, I did not end up getting the rabies vaccine, but did get vaccinated for everything else that this SIT program recommended/required. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Durban and at my homestays. I did have a minor safety concern with my older brother in one homestay but the program staff was very supportive and reactive when I expressed my concerns. This program encourages leaving your comfort zone but never puts you in danger or allows you to feel unsafe. I did have my phone stolen but that was due to my own ignorance- keep phones secure and out of sight, as you would in any city, and be aware of your surroundings! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was incredibly transformative in how I view the world, and how I view myself as a global citizen. It helped me in such a multitude of ways that have now altered what I plan to do in my future. |
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) |
Program staff give students weekly money for any meals that are not accounted for. This allows you to budget and save money if you want/need to. Personal activities outside of the SIT budget are your own responsibility. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$50/week of my own money on food/transportation etc |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The dollar goes far in Durban luckily, so it wasn't too difficult. Just be aware of how much you are spending in US dollars and don't get out of control! |
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 |
Zulu class was helpful, as was living in homestay families, but I wish I had utilized what Zulu I had learned more. |
| 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? | No prior Zulu experience |
| 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? | It's up to you how much you utilize Zulu, since most people know some English in and around the city, but it really does make a difference in your cultural immersion when you use the language frequently and put in effort to utilize it outside of the classroom. |
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? | Don't just embrace discomfort- seek it out because it's how you grow. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
