Incredible cultural immersion experience! August 02, 2024
By Joanna B (Economics and Political Science, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 06/22/2024 to 07/19/2024 with
Linguistic Horizons: Intern in the Sacred Valley, Peru
I could explore the indigenous culture and incredible mountain scenery while working at a local nonprofit organization. I had the opportunity to stay with a host family, who were some of the nicest people I’ve met. I felt very comfortable throughout the entirety of my four weeks in the program and felt very well supported by Nicole, my host family, the other interns, and my co-workers with anything I needed. Some highlights of the program were the flexibility in organizing my internship to fit with my interests, the organization and efficient administration of LH, the lasting bonds I’ve created with all of the people I met, the opportunity to improve my Spanish at home and at work, and the unique immersion I experienced. I highly recommend choosing Linguistic Horizons if you are hoping to immerse yourself in a new culture, connect with locals, feel safe in a new country, speak Spanish, and learn about different lifestyles.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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 had the option to stay in a guesthouse or in a host family, and I chose to experience both. I still keep in touch with the others from the guesthouse as well as my host family, proving that both were highly valuable experiences. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program gave me the perfect balance of flexibility, structured activities, and independence that made me feel comfortable, fulfilled, and amazed. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $50 |
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 |
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| 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? | AP Spanish V |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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? | If I had known how incredible the experience would be, I would have planned to stay longer. |
