I'm having trouble choosing between study abroad programs. :(
So for reasons mainly pertaining to the INST major, I'm gunning for China in fall semester and South Africa in spring semester. I've basically decided my top two China programs:
1. CIEE in Nanjing, which is language intensive AND has culture studies courses instead of just one or the other.
2. CET Chinese Studies in Beijing. It's culture-focused, but they offer 300+ level language courses, so I'm set even if I study Chinese at Middlebury this summer. :)
BUT SOUTH AFRICA. I've narrowed it down to two programs, but I can't choose between the two. They're completely different.
One is at Stellenbosch University and it's basically regular university life but in South Africa. I would live in a dorm on campus and take about five classes at the university. I've looked up reviews and have read that the program is tons of fun, and the course selection available to abroad students is fucking awesome. I can take jewelry design!!
The other is SIT's Social and Political Transformation program. It has a big focus on homestays and field work and comparatively little emphasis on in-class learning. There is an average of four homestays per semester, one of which may be in a house with no electricity or indoor plumbing. (Which I don't think I'd mind... maybe.) There's a lot more hands-on experience and the feedback all says that the experience was incredibly enriching and they all learned sooooo much about South African culture.
I don't know. I feel like the SIT program is more "the type of thing I should do" as an INST major, and certainly seems like the more unique experience. But Stellenbosch seems so fun... there's something very exciting and glamorous about being in the middle of the fucking winelands of South Africa, studying in one of the best universities of that country.
Sigh. :(
