Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Zapata Vive La Lucha Sigue Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2019 to 12/07/2019 with

Autonomous University of Social Movements: Traveling - Field Program in Social Movements

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about organizing and political philosophy and social movements! It was absolutely worthwhile and I would really recommend!

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was wonderful to live in with host families and in autonomous schools!

* Food:

It was really wonderful and we got to try many different kinds!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We learned so much about Mayan worldviews and about Mexican history and social struggle.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

They are very conscientious of student safety.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I learned so much and would recommend to any other student interested in social struggles.

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? about 30 dollars

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 learned both Spanish and Tsotsil and had classes in Spanish/talked with our families in Spanish.

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? 300 level
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? Study on your own the concepts/words you don't know.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • studying social movement theory with the people doing the organizing
  • living in autonomous territory and with farming and working families
  • experiencing art and music and food and theater and other parts of resistance culture
* What could be improved?
  • a little bit more independence for students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There's a very different conception between the relationship of self and community, and you are going to learn a lot about how to live in a collective. After that it's really hard to come back to a more individualized culture.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Interdisciplinary Course Work
Course Department: Interdisciplinary
Instructor: Mariana Hernandez- Burg
Instruction Language: English, Spanish, and Tsotsil
Comments: It was incredible and I learned so much. I love how our four classes were integrated into one and how we were able to study with and speak the languages of the social movements we were learning about. The field trips were always incredible and I learned so much from every reading, class, and interaction.
Credit Transfer Issues: