Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Guanajuato - A bigger bite than I was expecting Past Review

By (Physics Teaching, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/02/2012 to 08/03/2012 with

Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned independence, responsibility, language skills, and how to do research.

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

There was an on-site administration, we were on our own. We did keep in contact via email with an administrator back at the University, which was good, but we did not have on with us. I preferred it that way.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host families that gave me housing were wonderful

* Food:

I only got sick twice! It's real Mexican food and I;m an american, you have to expect it.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

100%

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The only health care I got was from my own initiative: buying medicine at the pharmacy and going to a clinic. I didn't expect the university to do anything, it's my job to take care of my self. They did keep me under safety precautions, I could not travel in dangerous areas and they provided me with reasonable health insurance, which was all appreciated.

* Safety:

I never felt like I was in too much danger

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $2,000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay away from hotels, talk to people and you can often find cheap housing. Don't go to crazy on daily treats.

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

I had no other option

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 321, but it didn't teach me much.
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? Talk to everyone,

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Being on my one and in charge of my own project.
  • Living with a host family and only being able to communicate in spaniish
  • Having fellow university students there, but not living with them. It was nice to met up on weekends.
* What could be improved?
  • Preparation on how to do inquiry research.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? All that is required when doing an inquiry research project.