Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying abroad is one of the best decisions I have made in my life so far Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 05/10/2014 to 07/05/2014 with

Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The greatest benefits were experiencing the city life of Oaxaca and the beautiful natural landscape of Hierve El Agua and Puerto Escondido. There was a nice fusion of city and nature experience. Another great benefit was to practice my Spanish and be told that my Spanish was pretty good by a native speaker. It gave me confidence to continue conversing and practicing my speaking skills. The biggest challenge was just getting used to a new environment. Though I felt like I adjusted very quickly thanks to a supportive host family and staying busy with school and the program's activities

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Sol's programs are very rewarding because they include a good education as well as numerous activities which help you to engage the culture of the country in which you are studying. For me the combination of classes, host family and personal interaction, and historical, scenic, artistic, and cultural activities, gave me not only a new perspective on Mexican culture and the Mexican people, but also an experience through which I learned a lot about myself as well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program administrators were well organized and very helpful and accommodating for al students

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Host family was very supportive and welcoming. By the time I left, we were all family

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

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

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 3 levels of college spanish
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Sol's programs are very rewarding because they include a good education as well as numerous activities which help you to engage the culture of the country in which you are studying. For me the combination of classes, host family and personal interaction, and historical, scenic, artistic, and cultural activities, gave me not only a new perspective on Mexican culture and the Mexican people, but also an experience through which I learned a lot about myself as well.
* What could be improved?
  • No improvements are necessary. The program was very balanced and structured and filled with quality experiences
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much I would enjoy the program so that I would have chosen to stay for a longer time period

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.