Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Magical and charming June 01, 2022

By (Permaculture, National University of Natural Medicine) - abroad from 05/28/2021 to 06/30/2022 with

IPSL: Guatemala - Ecology, Culture and Justice

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile......I gained my energy for life back.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

IMAP was wonderful

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Cabins are clean but bathrooms are a short walk away.

* Food:

A local lady cooked such healthy breakfast and lunch.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt extremely comfortable and not like a foreigner.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My translator came to the hospital to make things easy.

* Safety:

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

My back pain magically disappeared and it was all like a dream.

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)

Transportation cost the most as the place was isolated.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Hire a local to make 3 meals a day for you. Bring extra money for laundry

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Guatemalan people
  • Nature
  • That I could bring my child
* What could be improved?
  • More structured plans for learning Spanish and Permaculture with an objective to be met at the end.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring more money for food.

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.