Loved my family and the culture, program could have been better! Past Review
By Justine M (Spanish Secondary Education, Providence College) - abroad from 01/01/2013 to 01/19/2013 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It definitely was, but I think it could have been better. I wish I got more out of my experience, in fluency and cultural growth
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. |
I like that Marta changed the time of learning between classes, with videos, tours, etc. But I wish the class involved more talking so that I could practice my spanish for the 5 hours we are in class |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think the administrator for my program really didn't seem professional. She was more concerned with hanging out with her friends than helping me out or showing me around the state. I only saw her about once, and I never really got an introduction to the program, I was kind of just thrown into the experience, without any reassurance. I also didn't like the fact that the last week of my stay there was only one activity. I was also supposed to get two excursions, minimum... this didn't happen. I only went on one excursion to Monte Alban. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my family. They were so sweet and accommodating. They were truly the best part of the trip. |
| * Food: |
My mother was such a great cook! I loved trying true mexican cuisine. It was delicious and safe. I had no worries about what I was eating was not clean or safe, Gloria made sure to prepare meals that were used with purified water and were delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved seeing the food and clothing vendors, it was all very interesting. Definitely a culture difference, especially the amount of attention you receive being a white girl from the states. everyone was respectful, but things are just different. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I really didn't feel sick or anything the whole time I was there, so I don't really know. But the other families, whenever someone had a bad stomach ache, they seemed very concerned and willing to do anything to help. |
| * Safety: |
I think people make you more scared than you need to be.. Nothing was that unsafe, in a city you always have to be careful |
| 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) |
very easy for a person who is coming from USA to Mexico, dollar goes a long way in Mexico |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | only take out so much at a time. Make sure you tell your bank you are traveling. |
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 |
The people in the program were intermediate level and really didn't want to speak spanish outside of class. My class didn't have much talking, just listening. so i really only practiced my spanish with people around town and with my family. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | SPN 322 - Hispanic Literature |
| 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? | meet people, talk to them! spend time with your family! encourage the people you are with to speak spanish! talk in class! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | not enough people to make it fun during the winter experience |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
