Blossoming Past Review
By lebluba (Northwestern Oklahoma State University) - abroad from 06/11/2016 to 07/02/2016 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I gained a different perspective of people in general. I realized my own judgments or assumptions I had before coming to Mexico. I gained more of an awareness of that fact that people are not SO different from one country to another. Everyone is climbing on that same ladder regardless of race, gender, or culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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: |
Walk with someone at all times, but if unavoidable to walk alone, you might be okay during the day , but at night I would take a taxi or bus. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really liked learning more about Mexico's culture and different ways of life. |
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) |
5- The only extra expenses I feel are/were not already supplied was maybe one meal in the past weeks (which I could be wrong). Other things I CHOOSE spend my money on are taxis and extra drinks/food/gifts I would like. I am very pleased with how much I do not have to spend. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-200 pesos |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Limit yourself to spending so much money in one week. If you know you are about to visit a certain place during a week in which you would like to purchase some things such as gifts and different food, maybe refrain from spending money that week until you take your vacation for that week. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Upper Division Spanish Class "Courtly Love" |
| 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? | Watch movies, listen to music, and read in the language you aspire to learn, every chance you get. Do those things in which will give you the highest level of immersion. Use your opportunities. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | Pack a towel for the beach. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
