Life-Transforming Past Review
By Mary M (Spanish, Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca) - abroad from 08/31/2013 to 05/03/2014 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I don't even know where to start as a response to this question. This experience has transformed my whole future, taught me so many important lessons, opened my eyes to another level of possibilities and given me some of the best friendships I have ever had in my life. I have achieved my dream of being fluent in Spanish. I have grown so much as a person and have travelled to various places in Mexico, especially in Oaxaca, which has given me a good cultural knowledge of Mexico. I recommend Sol Education Abroad because through this program I've been able to achieve one of my dreams, have improved my Spanish tremendously, made some of the best friends I have ever had, learned so much about myself and what I'm passionate about, broken out of my shell and have become more confident, lived with one of the sweetest host families ever, eaten some of the tastiest food that Mexico has to offer, and have opened my eyes to the infinite amount of possibilities that life has to offer if you are willing to chase after them. I have fallen in love with Oaxaca and this experience has changed my life. Everyone should study abroad and with a program like Sol Education Abroad, there is nothing holding you back!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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? |
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| * Food: |
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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
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy what you need, and a little of what you want. |
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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPA 211 |
| 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? | Get involved! The more you practice with real conversations and situations with natives, the more you will improve in the language. Get out of your comfort zone and make an effort to use Spanish as much as possible. It's so worth it, when you realize that you have finally achieved your dream of being fluent in Spanish! |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Honestly, I wish I knew how much of an impact this experience was going to have on my life and how much it was going to change everything. This experience has opened my eyes to so many possibilities that I didn't know existed before and I wouldn't say I wasted my first year of college, but I now know that I could've been involved in so much more and I could've studied what I loved instead of going for my back-up plan, because I was afraid of chasing my dreams. |
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