My experience in a 3rd world country: 3rd world means 3rd world. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot about Guatemalan culture and learned to survive a completely different lifestyle. Being there made me realize what we have here in the US. It is almost uncomparable. The people in Guatemala live very simplisticly and differently. I love broadening my horizons and the trip to Guatemala definitely did so. The dorms were cold and moist and had no temperature regulation, we lived amongst bugs and ate different food. I would never live there, but I wouldn't trade going there for anything. The education system is much different. They are more laid back and it is a lot less written work. It was more speaking and doing activities lead by the teacher. It also amazes me how happy the people are although they have so little.

On-site administration of your program

My expectations were met in the learning area. I picked up more Spanish than I knew going there, which was my goal. However, I was not prepared to deal with some of the things that were thrown at us. For example, the dorms were cold and sort of gross, the food made me sick and gave me what I called "grumble gut" every time that I ate it. I was not prepared for such a difference in food quality and living quality. I also wasn't prepared to get sick (I caught a virus that affected my chewing and swallowing, so eating was horrible for a whole week). However, I did get used to it and overall, it was a great experience.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everything was provided in the dorms and the service was great. They would do our laundry for us and cleaned every day. It was on campus, so only about a 3 minute walk to classes. Nightlife was about 15 minutes away and there were busses for that. Besides the swampiness and smell of the dorms, it was livable. However, not by any means a place I would choose to live for more than the 3-week period I was there. The water was always cold when we wanted to shower! And the sinks only had cold water, period.

Some meals were really good, but in the market we had to be very careful because nothing is refrigerated and there were flies all over everything, especially the fruit. We would find restaurants that were decent and the cooking at the dorms was actually pretty good. My complaint would be the feeling I got after eating. Other students agreed with me, too. Our guts would grumble and it was just super weird. About half of us got food poisoning once throughout the trip. Some of us wouldn't eat meat at all because it was just too risky. Overall though, the food wasn't too bad, but I wish I didn't have to worry about it so much. You just never knew what was ok and what was not.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every weekend we would leave the dorms and stay in nice hotels (a lovely change). We visited Mayan ruins in Tikal, we visited the beach in Monterrico, went horse back riding, went on many tours in Spanish, visited museums and churches all over, went to many markets, and met a lot of Guatemalans.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Some of us got food poisoning from eating in the markets, but that was pre-warned not to do. Some of us got altitude sickness from being in the mountains. I caught a virus from the change in temperature, going from mountains to beach and back. I did visit a doctor and he was very helpful. He knew exactly what I had because apparently it is a common virus there. It was horrible though (the virus). It was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced and caused me not to comfortably eat for an entire week. The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic and ibuprofen tablets. Everything cleared up in a few days after I had the medicine. Without the medicine I would have been so miserable!!!

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

We practiced Spanish with our professors (the classes were held only in Spanish). Some people could speak English, but it was on the same level in which we could speak Spanish. We often ran into language barriers, but that's where the teachers from Stritch helped out. And yes, definitely: we used Spanish every single day; in the market, ordering food at restaurants, checking in our hotel, trying to ask help for the internet, interacting with students, doing our homework, going to the doctor, everything. I loved learning Spanish and wish to continue until fluency.

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• Dorm

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• Americans
• International Students