qué padre! Past Review
By A student (University of North Texas) - abroad from 01/30/2016 to 04/30/2016 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned that it's okay to take my time, and not rush myself. I'm slow anyway, but to not let other people hurry me. I improved my spanish, and I improved my listening skills.
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. |
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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: |
The food was amazing- eat everything. |
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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: |
Please don't wear shorts unless you really want to draw attention to yourself. I mean, you can, but you'll just stick out even more so than normal. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Sol was really helpful, especially with integration into a big cultural experience. |
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) |
I rarely had to go to the atm, to be honest. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10 USD I think, probably less. I didn't eat out much. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Haggle for prices. |
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 |
I used it all the time, but my group really didn't, and I wish they had better enforced it. |
| 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? | advanced spanish grammar- about 3000 level. |
| 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? | Don't speak english. ever. Switch your phone and tablet and ipod and any electronic to the target language, read stuff in it, really immerse yourself. |
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? | Don't overpack |
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. |
