A life changing semester in Peru Past Review
By Jess B (Mathematics, Austin College) - abroad from 07/29/2012 to 12/01/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Granada, Spain
Aside from language skills, my time spent volunteering gave me so many insights that I may never be able to enumerate fully. I gained a more complete world perspective and a new understanding of both my own culture and the cultures in Peru. It was 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Intense amounts of reading required, tutoring available upon request |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Food wasn't awesome, lacked in variety and taste, but a great host mom otherwise |
| * Food: |
Outside of the home, excellent cuisine. Within the home, lacked variety, including variety of dishes and flavors |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * 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? | Maybe 7 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid tourist traps and always barter |
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 |
Direct enrollment in courses taught in the foreign language leave little options for speaking anything but. |
| 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? | Make sure you don't fall into the pattern of hanging out with fellow program buddies just because they speak English. Or if you must, try to speak in the language of the host country. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I don't know that this question is applicable to me. The whole point of going is to learn, you can't expect or wish to have known it before. I enjoyed learning everything and wouldn't change 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! |
