Amazing Experience I will cherish forever in Puebla, Mexico Past Review
By Elisabeth S (Psychology and Hispanic Studies, Wheaton College) for
Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla / BUAP: Puebla - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned to be more independent. It was a unique experience that I will always have the memory and lessons I learned from it. It helped me become more aware of different cultures and how people in different countries live so differently from the USA. It helped my love of Hispanic culture grow and lead me to be able to teach English in Spain for a year. I also hope to return to Puebla soon!
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 school system is very different from an American school system. It was much more relaxed and independent. The workload was manageable and I enjoyed learning from the styles of my professors. Although at first it was hard to adapt I was able to learn a lot from the Mexican students in my classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very involved in our daily lives and gave us support whenever we needed it. They planned movie nights, arts and crafts and other activities for all of us to be together but we also had our free time to do what we wanted and explore the city. They helped us with everything we needed like getting a cell phone, and learning the bus system and the different things about Mexico in general. We took trips with the program that were educational and fun. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with a host family. It helped me to improve my Spanish a great deal. The neighborhood was safe and a friend of mine from the program lived very close by. Transportation from my house to different locations such as the university and night life was easy to get to and cheap. I need not need to buy anything for stay at the house. My family was very welcoming and always included me in their activities. I was treated like a family member. |
| * Food: |
My host family was very accommodating to my dietary needs. The quality and quantity of food was great! I never ate better than I did in Mexico! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program planned many fun events and trips throughout the semester and throughout Mexico. It was amazing to go places like Frida Kahlo's house, see the pyramids of Teotihuacan and many more amazing sites. I also was able to meet a lot of Mexicans through my classes and my friends in the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Puebla is a very safe city. I never once felt in danger while studying or going out at night. You just have to be sensible and use your head and don't go anywhere alone especially at night. I never had to go to the doctor or the hospital but I did get sick a couple times. The program and my host family were both very supportive and helped me through it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Our program staff encouraged us to speak Spanish all the time even with our American friends and class mates. We lived with host families so we spoke Spanish everyday with them, our professors, the program director and friends. The host families usually did not speak English so it was necessary that everyone spoke Spanish all the time. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Everyone would and will love this program! Puebla is a great city full of culture and excitement. You really get to experience a new kind of life which opens your eyes to the world. I would do this program again and again! |
