Independence in Indigenous Mexico Past Review
By Joseph W (Social Studies, Harvard University) for
Harvard University: Mexico - DRCLAS Summer Internship Program in Sustainable Development
Yes. Be fluent in Spanish. Be willing to get your hands dirty. Get lost. Use your freedom to explore and meet new people. Don't be trapped by the expectations of what foreigners do.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program is unique due to the life experiences you have. The class is easy, but the things you learn outside of it are unforgettable and change your thinking. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administrators are not on-site; they live an hour away. They are very uninvolved. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It needs to improve so that you don't share a bed. |
| * Food: |
It was decent but they treated us poorly. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Too many to mention. There are so many great outlets- natural, archeological and cultural. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You take care of yourself. |
| 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? | Too much. Dinner is not included, and meals on weekends are not either. It can get pricey if you frequent touristey areas. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Laundry costs are also high. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it if you have the guts. |
