A different and good life Past Review
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Berea College) - abroad from 09/05/2015 to 12/05/2015 with
KIIS: Merida - Experience Merida Semester Program
I learned a lot of historical information of Mexico, which I appreciate. I made a lot of friends with people in my program. I got better at Spanish. My host mom was perfect. I explored a little. It was worthwhile.
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. |
There was an overload of work, in my opinion. Some was very valuable, while other work was useless. In fact, the work load was so heavy that it was detrimental to my experience. |
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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? |
My host mom was an angel. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated and I attended a wonderful church. I made a lot of friends my age there, but I couldn't spend time with them because I had so much homework. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick twice and my host mom took me to the doctor. He spoke with me and prescribed me medicine. I had to pay for the medicine, but not the consolation. It was good. |
| * Safety: |
Sometimes I felt unsafe at night, but I got used to it and, especially after going to Havana, Cuba, I felt much more secure in comparison to earlier situations. I had one class that required me to walk home alone at 8pm at night. I didn't like that, but I was fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
My host mom fed me, and I had enough money to have fun with friends if I wanted to. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20, maybe. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Not really, it was too easy for me to not spend money in unnecessary situations. I just knew how much money I had and I didn't blow it. I had a lot left over, too. |
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 |
There was a lack of communication in Spanish within my program, excluding in my Spanish classes. I didn't like that. If I wanted to enhance my Spanish, I had to seek someone local out to talk with. |
| 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? | 315 |
| 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? | Talk to the locals. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 I would be on my computer most of the time doing homework, that my host mom would be wonderful, and to take the time to read all of my assignments in Spanish instead of finding a translated version. |
