The most amazing experience of my life! University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermarit Past Review
By A student (State U) for
University of KwaZulu-Natal / UKZN: Durban - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
In South Africa, people are much more comfortable talking about race and social issues regarding race. I had so many good conversations with various people about race and have learned so much from them. I think this is something that the U.S. could do better because a problem cannot be resolved without communication. I saw poverty as we do not have it in the U.S, and that makes me think about my life and how lucky I really am, it allows me to appreciate the things I have and the people around me. My time in South Africa also allowed me to break out of my shell and be much more adventurous than I have been in the past. You learn your limits and then you learn to push them. I will definitely be going back to South Africa because it has become a part of me.
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. |
Workload was much lighter than in the U.S. meaning that when you did have an assignment it was worth more. The final exam makes up at least 60% of your grade. Teaching style is very teacher centered, lectures much more common than discussion based classes. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sandra is amazing! She was always there for us to go talk to, and always willing to help sort things out for us. You could always find her in her office, or she was available via phone and email. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
We cooked for ourselves so we could choose what we wanted to eat, but the kitchen were not well equipped (no ovens) which forced us to be very creative at times. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Through my ceramics course we went on a field trip to visit a community of female potters who live in one of the most rural areas of South Africa. They cooked lunch for us and we were able to buy their beautiful handmade pots. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Safety was always a question, you never knew if your room would have been broken into or not. You really just have to be aware and take precautions to keep yourself and your belongings safe. don't walk outside when it's dark, walk with other people, keep your purse/wallet in sight, etc. |
| 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
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Keep an open mind. Go with the flow, don't have expectations because whether high or low they will not be met. Be open to new experiences, customs, people, etc. Sometimes it will be difficult being away from home and living in a new culture, but you will learn things about the world and yourself and be that much stronger and better for it. Be curious and adventures, try new things, push your boundaries. If you do this, you will have an amazing time. I promise. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Understanding Poetry |
| Course Department: | Eng 204 |
| Instructor: | Jill Arnott |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Very boring and easy, but we were introduced to a wide collection of poetry. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Introduction to isiZulu Studies A |
| Course Department: | ZulN 101 |
| Instructor: | Mary Gordon |
| Instruction Language: | English, isiZulu |
| Comments: | This was a little challenging but very relevant to the area, we went on field trips and were encouraged to speak to people in the community. The teacher was well prepared but wasted a lot of time. I participated less often than I would at home. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Ceramics |
| Course Department: | FIAR 200 |
| Instructor: | Susie Dwyer |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | My absolute favorite course! Very relaxing and fun, as well as being taught a lot about ceramics. Susie is the most fabulous teacher ever! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Post-Apartheid South African Literature |
| Course Department: | Eng 306 |
| Instructor: | Bambi Ogram |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Absolutely loved this course! Very interesting. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
