Cuba Past Review
By Odalis Castellanos (San Jose State University) - abroad from 05/31/2019 to 06/29/2019 with
EEAbroad: Study Abroad Programs in Cuba
Absolutely worthwhile! I am Cuban-American so it was so much fun and extremely interesting to learn things in the place where my family is from. My Spanish is still rusty but this month away really enhanced it.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
EEAbroad helped me with everything I needed and supported me with everything I wanted to do there. They are on top of the current laws being juggled around between the US & Cuban governments and consistently provided us with information regarding the complex relationship and laws between the two governments. I felt safe and cared for and got so much knowledge about the country. |
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? | $50-$80 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Exchange USD to Cuban currency little-by-little, NOT ALL AT ONCE! This will help you keep more control of your spending and to make sure you spend on necessities first. Buy souvenirs at the end of your trip to make it easier on yourself, unless you see something you KNOW your are not going to find anywhere else. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch shows in Spanish to enhance comprehension, SPEAK to other Spanish speakers, practice the writing on your free time. |
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? | Bug repellent and anti-itching cream is a must!!!! Plenty of sunscreen, vitamin c packets or other meds to help kill a cold. For the ladies, spandex for the dresses because it gets hot quickly! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
