Wear sombrero, drink Horchata, eat tortillas, be a mexican! Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/29/2016 to 07/09/2016 with

IFSA: Mérida - Language and Cultural Studies in the Yucatán

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
language skill; understanding of the mexican society, people; reflection on who I am; trying to deal with all kinds of experience, getting lost, hating the food etc. ; it's worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Spanish Language teacher was great I love her!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of them, Diana, Sintia everyone is very patient very responsible very nice.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

for the first few days i was regretting my decision to come here cuz it was toooo hot. then I started to get accustomed to it.

* Food:

As a body builder, i pay a lot attention to what and when and how I eat. My host mom's food is great, but the timing is a bit overwhelming for me. Breakfast around 7, lunch at 3 to 3:30 ish, dinner at 10, with no snacks between breakfast and lunch other than if we buy it on our own. I figuered its just culture difference but I hope the program can warn future students this, especially to people who eat regularly and pay strict attention to his diet.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I talked with neighbors, taxi drivers, shop owners, random people, it was a lot of fun

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

i was super healthy all the time, didnt know that

* Safety:

Merida IS the SAFEST city in Mexico, we can all walk on street at midnight and have no fear

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

just a lot of fun and i learned a lot

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)

1st, stuff in mexico is very cheap, and food and other stuff is usually covered

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get water while at home and carry it around

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? College Spanish 105
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? Be open minded, stop complaining about the heat food people everything, try to live like a Yucateco!

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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • everyone in my group
  • trips to mayan sites
  • talking with local people
* What could be improved?
  • heat warning and preparation
  • diet warning
  • some classes are bit too long and boring
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that Merida is really really really hot and humid

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Yucatan

Course Department: Social Science
Instructor: Yassir Rodriguez
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: A lot lecture in class
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Spanish language

Course Department: Foreign Language
Instructor: Astrid Vargas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Amazing
Credit Transfer Issues: