The best experience of my life! Past Review
By Cody G (Business Administration, Central College) - abroad from 01/20/2013 to 05/03/2013 with
Central College Abroad: Merida - Language & Culture Immersion in the Yucatan
What I learned and gained from four months studying abroad cannot fit into a box this small. I grew as person both personally and academically in ways that would otherwise be impossible without studying abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics were not as rigorous as a normal semester back home, but Central College abroad did a great job of still making classes challenging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All Central College employees on site were amazing too work with and were extremely professional. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Central House was cleaned daily and I was more than satisfied with my room, food, and other rooms of the house. |
| * Food: |
The cooking staff did a tremendous job of preparing delicious meals everyday of the week. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was able to connect with several locals which allowed me to dive further into the Mexican culture, and have a much better abroad experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Although Mexico is less developed than the United States, there was never a time I felt any danger towards my health. |
| * Safety: |
Mexico traditionally has a reputation for being unsafe, but I believe this to be farther from the truth. Merida was extremely safe and I never felt endangered while walking the streets at all hours of the day. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | All depends on where one wants to spend their money. For example, if traveling is what you want to do. Spend less on food and entertainment and save your money for traveling on weekends. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Get to know people in the community. They are the best teachers and help you learn conversational language. |
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? | I wish I would have know how much I would change and grow as a person. |
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.' |
