A Challenge but great Learning Experience Past Review
By Karli J (International/Global Studies., Loras College) - abroad from 06/26/2012 to 12/05/2012 with
University of Botswana: Gaborone - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned so much about the local people and that not every country needs help from the more developed. I learned that they are capable of doing anything if they put their mind to it. I also learned how influential the U.S. is on so many countries. I learned to be more thankful for what I have. I learned about other cultures and their norms. It was worthwile.
Review Photos
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. |
The pace was much slower in Botswana, so due to the pace, the academics were not as much of a challenge. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I did not feel like there were many adults or administrators that I could turn to if I needed help with anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had all the necessities like clean water and a bathroom and a bed and closet. I liked my roommate, but security was an issue. Doors and closets always had to be locked. |
| * Food: |
They ate a lot of meat and I'm not a big meat eater or everything was fried and greasy. I mostly lived on bread and fruit. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was able to meet people I had classes with, but otherwise it felt like many of the locals did not always accept us. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I luckly never had to go to the doctor, but i know other exchange students had difficulty getting answers from the local doctors. |
| * Safety: |
We had to be smart, and not walk at night by ourselves, but overall the country is very safe. As a girl, we had to be careful mostly of men. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I was very careful with my money and spread it out evenly so I could live off my student budget for the time I was there. I organized how I was going to spend all my money, so I think it was easy enough to live on a student's budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $600 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Organize your money and how much you get for each day and think ahead about any travels you want to do and take those into account. Go in knowing that there may be some sacrifices you have to make and that you may not be able to live as comfortably as you're used to. But it is all about the experience. |
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 |
Just a little bit, but it was very difficult to learn this language in a semester. And most people just spoke English anyways. |
| 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? | 0 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to sound silly and try to use the language with the locals. They will appreciate that you are at least trying. The more you communicate with the locals, the faster you will learn. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | nothing. I'm glad I went with no expectations |
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! |
