"Interstudy South Africa: indepdence with great support." Past Review

By (SUNY - Binghamton) for

University of KwaZulu-Natal / UKZN: Durban - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academics were very strong. I was impressed with the quality of the professors (although most of my fellow South African students appeared bored in class and rarely contributed).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Excellent. Anita provided us with everything we needed and was always available to talk.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Adequate. It was good to have my own room.

* Food:

We cooked everything ourselves, but food was cheap and readily available from a local supermarket.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Excursions were always enjoyable if sometimes mismanaged, to no fault of Interstudy or the program administrator.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Durban is not a very safe city though I didn't have any pretensions about this before leaving. I felt safe on campus.

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)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's an excellent choice though you may have to fend for yourself much of the time. For a self-starter wanting to get out and see the world, it's a good choice.