You Get What You Put In Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My university classes sometimes felt over my head, but when I approached the administration we got my problems resolved. In the ends I left having felt challenged and strengthened with respect to the language and my personal development.

On-site administration of your program

In Oaxaca, my site director always responded promptly to my questions and concerns. She lives in Oaxaca and is available by phone, email, or can meet with you in person. When I came to her about certain academic problems, she accompanied me for professional and emotional support when I met with the teacher. My director helped explain the situation and propose solutions. Together, the three of us resolved the matter quickly and effectively. My director is bilingual in Spanish and English but when dealing with my university, she often gave me the option to resolve my own problems because she knew I spoke Spanish and that I had come to practice it. I really appreciated that. If I was ever uncomfortable, though, she was more than happy to step in. My director organized many fun group activities but wasn't overbearing. She gave us lots of opportunity to explore independently and I enjoyed that.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My homestay in Oaxaca was unlike any I have ever had. My host mom was retired and thus dedicated herself completely to the care of her students and her home. At one point we had as many as seven other girls living in the home but I never felt neglected. My host mom prepared three meals for us every day, took us out to restaurants, walked us to school our first day, and gave us maps to get familiar with the city. The most important and memorable part of my living situation, however, were the conversations at mealtimes. My host mom made it a game that if we spoke anything but Spanish at the table, we received "punishments." These were always fun, though, and might require that we tell a joke or story in Spanish, do a dance, or play charades. I was even invited to family events like birthday parties that made me feel included in a genuine, completely comfortable manner. Out of all the students I grew particularly close to my host mom because she came to me when she couldn't download pictures to her computer, when she didn't have her glasses to read small print, or she needed an interpreter to understand a student who didn't know much Spanish. Sol intuitively placed me with the perfect host family.

I don't like Mexican food, but that doesn't mean it wasn't prepared well! It's just a matter of preference. Oaxaca is very proud of its food culture, and given the variety in Mexican cuisine, it's worth trying a lot of different food before you make up your mind.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Mexicans who didn't have experience with international students bullied me occasionally for my accent or grammar. However, teasing has to be taken into consideration as part of the culture between friends. I did make a lot of friends who made me feel integrated in the sense that we went out a lot, spoke Spanish, and kept in constant communication. The way I dressed wasn't considered normal but I wasn't always looking to blend in!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never needed health care services, but my friends from the program who did said they had great experiences.

Oaxaca is just as safe as any big city if you take logical precaution. Stay alert, keep your bags zipped, keep your earbud cord hidden, walk in groups, walk in well-lit areas, and don't leave the house with more than what's necessary. Your passport and your smartphone, for example, don't need to go to the club with you. You will always hear stories of violent encounters abroad but common sense goes a long way to prevent such things.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Food and souvenirs in Oaxaca - Mexico in general - are incredibly cheap. Eating most or all your meals with your host family, you can get by on what Sol projected I would spend, an average $25/week.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Host Family

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• International Students
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans

• Making local friends, going out on weekends
• The attentiveness of the directors and university faculty
• The opportunity to volunteer

• Universidad Mesoamericana's communication with international students
• Group's attendance for the cultural activities
• Tailoring the group's calendar of activities to reflect specific interests

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