Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best experience ever, learning a language in the states can't compare!! Past Review

By (English Language and Literature, Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 05/17/2015 to 07/19/2015 with

Kukulcan Spanish Language School: Courses for College and University Students

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about a language and a culture that I didn't understand before. I learned things that I didn't know I would learn. it was worthwhile and so much more.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Students are in class Monday through Friday from 9am until 2:30pm. During this time the students are working on grammar and conversation skills with the instructor completely in Spanish even from the very beginning. I came to Cuernavaca knowing no Spanish what so ever and even on the first day the teachers spoke only Spanish. it was an intense experience that was well worth it in the end.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The school was wonderful and the instructors were helpful and full of information for students. They were always ready to help, answer questions or talk if there was any troubles

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was wonderful, the knew I didn't speak any Spanish when I came to live with them and they helped me get through some hard times while I was there. I was given the opportunity to live with a family and I gained them as a family while I was there. I still keep in contact with them and talk to them on a regular basis

* Food:

All the food is authentic and all the food is fresh, no matter where you go you can know that it will taste good and you can find anything you need. We had a girl at the school who was a vegetarian and one that had celiac, meaning she couldn't have gluten, we never had to hesitate in finding a place to eat because there was always something for everyone.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I am very obviously white but I did learn a lot about the culture and I felt like I was apart of the family when I left. The city was beautiful and I felt very comfortable traveling while we were there

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I hurt my leg pretty bad while I was there and I had an infection in my throat about a week after arriving. I was hard pressed to find anything that I recognized as far as cough syrup but I did finally find a pharmacy and got something for my throat. My roommate came down with a bade case of appendicitis while we were there and she was in the hospital for about a week. The family and the school took very good care of her while she was there

* Safety:

I felt so safe there and we always went out at night and on weekends when we didn't have class. There wasn't a point when I was scared for a lack of 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)

Everything here is very affordable, the only time we had issues with money was if we were planning a weekend excursion and those were optional.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Each week i probably spent $50 unless we went on an expesive trip them it was about $100-150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save all you can and make sure you remember how long you are there. you don't have to do everything in the first week if you're there for 2 months like I was.

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

We only spoke Spanish with the teachers and the families didn't speak English at all so we were forced to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 4
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak with the family, use your translator when you need it but just listen to the family and the instructors, they know what you know and they are there to help you understand. if you are willing to learn the language then you will. don't try and translate in your head, just answer the way you feel you should and you will do fine.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* 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?
  • The host family
  • The friends i made
  • The cultural experience
* What could be improved?
  • Comunication with the University before
  • What paper work needs to be filled and fees before hand
  • basically information on the side of the US Universities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The fees prior to leaving, weather and who I would be rooming with

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 Linguist
You 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!