Social Justice in Central America with CGE Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

Program facilitators and staff were always available.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Home stays were wonderful in both Guatemala and Nicaragua. I had my own bedroom in each. The families I stayed with were wonderful. In El Salvador, due to safety reasons, all students participating in the program stayed in a large and accommodating home, with 2 or more per bedroom/bathroom. This was my least favorite as interaction with El Salvadoran people was limited to the staff and interviews we were taken on. It was a very enclosed bubble in El Salv. In all three countries primary residence was in large cities, but we also participated in rural stays for a few days at a time. The rural stays were one of my favorite parts of the program. While accommodations were more rudimentary (outhouses, sometimes no showers or running water), they were still comfortable and enriching experiences.

Food was pretty good, for the most part, but I think I need a month break rice, beans, and plantains for a month. :)

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt pretty well integrated in Guatemala and Nicaragua, but because safety was a concern in El Salvador, I felt like I didn't have a chance to participate as much in the local culture as we were very much in a protective bubble. Not being in a homestay reduced my feeling of integration in El Salvador.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no major health issues during the program, and thus cannot adequately comment or rate. (Although this review requires me to grant a number of stars)

I felt safe.

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

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

In Guatemala, the semester started with a Spanish program that was very intense. It was 4 or 5 weeks (I can't remember!) and was 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday, one-on-one with a language teacher. My teacher was great. A large portion of this particular course involved conversation which greatly helped me to get comfortable to using the language. Homestays in Guatemala and Nicaragua really require language usage. This was good for me because I started out speaking little to no Spanish and by the time I left was very comfortable conversing. My Spanish is still very limited and rudimentary, but greatly improved, especially conversationally.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• homestays
• interaction with locals

• time usuage in Nicaragua, specifically time unnecessarily spent at the center
• open up more interactive experiences in El Salvador (some how)
• The program was very liberal and biased in its teaching. While I agreed with the program's stance, it would've been beneficial to hear an accurate representation of opposing views.

The Avid Adventurer