Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFULL AND EVERYTHING NICE I WANT TO GO BACK NOW Past Review

By (Reconciliation, Bethel University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/10/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
YES IT WAS WORTHWHILE AND I LEARNED THERE IS BEAUTY IN THE BROKENNESS AND THAT FORGIVENESS IS NECESSARY TO MOVE FORWARD AND THAT THE PAST STILL AFFECTS THE FUTURE

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I THINK MY FAMILY SHOULD BE REEVALUATED AS A HOST FAMILY

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I FELT VERY INTEGRATED AND SUBMERGED

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? IT WAS ALL PAID FOR UNLESS I WANTED TO DO EXTRA THINGS LIKE SP
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? THINGS SEEM CHEAP BUT BUDGET WELL

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

WE TOOK A SHORT CLASS ON XHOSA

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? NONE
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • THE PEOPLE
  • THE HISTORY
  • THE GEOGRAPHY
* What could be improved?
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MORE VOLUNTEER OPTIONS
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? THAT I WASN'T GOING TO WANT TO LEAVE

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

AFRICAN WORLDVIEWS
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: I PERSONALLY FELT THAT I LEARNED THE LEAST FROM THIS CLASS IT WAS POINTLESS AND HAD NO STRUCTURE
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

READING THROUGH THE MARGINS
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: I LEARNED THE MOST FROM THIS CLASS AND FELT LIKE I REALLY GREW FROM THIS AND WAS ABLE TO CARRY PRINCIPLES AND TEACHINGS HOME WITH ME
Credit Transfer Issues: