Life changing Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 01/27/2017 to 05/13/2017 with
API (Academic Programs International): Havana - Universidad de la Habana
I learned a lot about culture while abroad. Everything I learn in school now, or all of my actions in my everyday life reflect back to something I learned about people and culture and communication in Cuba.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would have preferred a homestay |
| * Food: |
The food in the house was pretty good. A lot of foods were repeated and sometimes the food outside the house was bland but you get used to it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program included so many incentive and extra excursions. The staff and program providers were always available and helped as much as they could. It was awesome! |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cuba is not an expensive country if you take advantage of the moneda nacional or local currency. Also, you will spend a little more money than the average student if you plan on traveling around the island a lot. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't stay in the residence all the time. You need to get involved with the community and try using Spanish with the people in the house. Make Cuban friends at the University and your Spanish will advance tremendously. |
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? | The Cuban people are not behind in time at all. They still know what brands and things are in stye, they have smart phones, they see the news, they watch hollywood movies. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
