Wholehearted recommendation Past Review
By Nicole O. (Syracuse University) - abroad from 05/18/2014 to 10/04/2019 with
Study Abroad Programs in South Africa
My experience abroad was definitely worthwhile. I made friendships that have already lasted five years, and will be sustained for many more. I had access to lecturers and students at Rhodes University, which helped push my personal research forward. As a testament to my experience, I paid for my own trip to go back to Makhanda after studying abroad once.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I chose this program because it allowed me to work directly in the community, at a non-profit called Inkululeko. It was truly an immersive experience because of the focus on asset-based development and experiential learning. I developed friendships that have surpassed geographic barriers and continue to learn so much from my colleagues in South Africa! |
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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? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any issues with health care or safety on this trip. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Everything I needed was easily accessible and affordable. |
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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, is a small college town. We started every day with a language lesson. Then, when my cohort were not with the learners at Inkululeko, we were often with each other and other students our age from Rhodes. This made learning conversational language fun and easy. |
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 wasn't sure about the weather in South Africa. Probably could've packed more layers when there during transitioning seasons. |
