Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Remarkable Experience! Highly Recommend! Past Review

By (Syracuse University) - abroad from 05/31/2016 to 06/16/2016 with

Study Abroad Programs in South Africa

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This experience in South Africa was one of the highlights of my time as an undergraduate student! It was a perfect combination of academic learning, gaining cultural knowledge and awareness, as well as there being enough time for leisure in which we could explore our own interests (food, going to different sites, befriending locals, etc.) throughout the country. I hope to be able to return to the places I visited and relive the wonderful memories I made. I've recommended this trip to anyone who will listen and several of my friends have taken me up on my recommendation, with hundreds of pictures and unforgettable memories they shared when they returned!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Working with Inkululeko students
  • Befriending locals and exploring Makhanda
  • Studying at Rhodes University
* What could be improved?
  • Visiting other parts of South Africa (my cohort did not get the opportunity to go to Cape Town)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I was fairly nervous about spending several weeks with people that I barely knew, but there was nothing to worry about! About 4 years later and I'm still close to many of the people I went on the trip with!