A different world Past Review
By A student (SUNY - College at New Paltz) - abroad from 01/14/2016 to 05/07/2016 with
IPSL: Peru - Environmental Justice, Indigenous Health and Human Rights
Worth it for sure. I learned a lot about how to live in a different culture and just how much culture infiltrates out everyday personalities and we don't even know it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Good university with really nice professors and fun administration. The classes aren't very hard but I didn't want them to be. The university's atmosphere is laid back but they are extremely uptight about the rules in reality. Class schedule was scattered but classes were interesting subjects. |
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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? |
I really loved my host family. I was their first ever host student so I think they will get a lot better too. |
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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? |
I had salmonella; MacSalud the clinic was pretty amazing. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I came here by circumstances I didn't really control. Now I can't wait to come back. |
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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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 |
Honestly not as much as t could. All clases are in English. Being a host student helped but of the 3 host families, I'm the only one who spoke to their family enough for it to matter. |
| 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? | 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? | Spend time with locals and host family members who are your age |
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? | That things aren't going to just be different, EVERYTHING is different. It's another world. And it's going to be amazing how easily you can become part of that world without realizing it. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
