Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Beginning of a Lifestyle February 24, 2025

By (Spanish, University of North Carolina - Asheville) - abroad from 05/22/2024 to 07/28/2024 with

CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Besides the confidence and deeper understanding of the Spanish Language, I gained a love for travel and good authentic food.

Review Photos

CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico Photo CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico Photo CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico Photo CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico Photo CGEE: Cuernavaca - Summer Language and Culture in Mexico Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Plenty of resources were there for me to use when I needed extra help!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved the energy and support I received from the administration.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I love my host family! They made everything as comfortable as it could be for someone so new to traveling abroad and in an area where my native tongue was not the majority.

* Food:

MMM! The food was absolutely amazing. I think about it everyday.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think I was as integrated as I could be with my knowledge of Spanish and my confidence.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was easily accessible. I was heard about my concerns and aided as quickly as possible. I did need some vaccines such as rabies, typhoid, and malaria.

* Safety:

I felt very safe!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really fell in love with Cuernavaca and the people I met there. I would go back as many times as I could ( and can) to experience the beauty and expression of this city.

Finances

* 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)

Considering all the support I had when it came to meals and housing, living on a sort of student budget was fairly simple and accomplishable.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Maybe $200 each week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Really stick to your budget. Make sure you have a list of items and gifts you want to get for family, friends, and yourself.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Conversations in Cultural Context (316)
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? Record daily journals in Spanish, whether that is writing or speaking.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My host family
  • The food
  • The excursions
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I needed wayyyy less clothes.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!