Guatemala? More like Guatesbuena. Past Review
By Elle D (Elementary Education, Cardinal Stritch University) for
Cardinal Stritch University (CSU): Guatemala City - Universidad del Valle
My abroad experience was worthwhile, I just wish we had had more activities at night and had been informed of our agenda more specifically before we got there. My experience abroad allowed me to understand what living in a third world country really means and how people of different cultures in different societies interact.
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. |
Or teacher, Daniel, was excellent. He helped me to practice my Spanish and didn't make me feel stupid if struggled with saying anything. I thought it was interesting that the university went from 7th grade to college...it was a very different experience compared to what we think of universities as in the United States. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was difficult to get assignments done; we were told we would have internet access in the dorms but did not. And the library was only open until 6 and the computer lab until 7, so between our daily excursions and class schedule, it was hard to get to a computer to work on homework unless we brought one (which I didn't). I wish I'd known more about where we were staying before we stayed there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was colder than expected; nothing against the university, I just wish we had been told to bring warmer clothes. |
| * Food: |
A wider variety of food items would have been nicer. I still can't eat goat cheese, refried beans, or fried plantains... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed all weekend trips, even though I got sick a lot. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The roads were the scariest part for me; otherwise I felt safe at the University, since it was gated. I didn't feel like there were any health threats, but just about all of us got sick. I think it was from either the altitude or food...don't eat from street vendors! |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent exactly $205 (US dollars) during my 3 weeks there. That was enough for plenty of souvenirs and food on weekend trips when the meals weren't provided. I just wish we had been informed that we were paying for our own meals on the weekend trips. |
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? |
We practiced with the students and our teacher, and with each other. It was good to have a mixture of levels going into it because the advanced level students could help the beginner level students practice and vice versa. Most people our age spoke English, but the younger students spoke mostly Spanish and/or their native languages. |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Ask a lot of questions before you go. What to bring, how to pack, where you're going, what you're doing, etc. Students with a major or minor in Spanish or International Education would benefit. |
