Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Well rounded and Amazing!! Past Review

By (Nursing., San Diego State University) - abroad from 03/29/2014 to 04/06/2014 with

Fairfield University: Managua - Semester or Year in Nicaragua

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
New friends from another nursing school as well as from UCA. Definitely was worthwhile having the collaboration between schools and disciplines.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Being a nursing student, I wanted a study abroad program that included, Spanish immersion, something health related as well as exciting leisure site seeking and this program had all of it! Awesome experience all around! I especially liked the the collaboration with other schools and disciplines.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We stayed in a house that accommodated the visitors of the Universidad of Centro Americana, it was perfect for all of us including hosting the other UCA students for lunch and dinners.

* Food:

The food was authentic and delicious, one night the cooks of the house even gave us a cooking lesson!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt completely immersed, between the students from UCA, the people in the community and the cooks with the authentic food, cooking lesson, salsa dancing, the market and the visits all around the city and Granada; I felt like I was really able to soak in all the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We did not see their healthcare system, however, we were able to help with a public health problem and teach kindergarten children proper hand washing and we were able to hold a health fair doing blood sugars and taking blood pressures for the parents of those children.

* Safety:

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 including food and souveniers

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

With the students from UCA there was definitely a driving force to continue to use Spanish as much as possible.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 202
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? Continue to speak Spanish with others, refresh and review some basics.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Other
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?
  • Newly found friends
  • Sight Seeing / Culture
  • Helping the community in need
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have prepared more regarding my Spanish ability.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.