An Incredible Experience Past Review
By Marguerite Leek (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) - abroad from 01/24/2019 to 05/09/2019 with
SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Social and Political Transformation
I was able to live with four different homestay families while abroad and each taught me invaluable lessons which I will take with me forever.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were not typically structured but there were still plenty of learning opportunities! Zulu was not taught in a way that was comprehensive but more of a survival skills overview. |
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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: |
I am a vegetarian and was warned by several people that I would struggle. This was NOT the case! There were plenty of opportunities and each homestay I lived in was more than accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall I felt very safe, however, I listened to all the instructions and advice given to me by our program. Try not to walk alone espicially at night! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was an incredible experience. It allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of post-apartheid South Africa, engage with students from across the United States, and learn a lot about myself! |
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) |
The stipend provided by SIT covered literally everything. |
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 |
Most everyone speaks English in Durban so there isn't much opportunity to use the language. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | 0 |
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 had known that being a vegetarian was not an issue! |
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. |
