Oaxaca will change your life Past Review
By Kendall Hitch (University of Kentucky) - abroad from 09/03/2016 to 12/10/2016 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Oaxaca is unlike any other place I have ever visited and it changed the way that I look at my own life in the United States. Mexico is the perfect place to learn Spanish and Oaxaca offers many opportunities to learn in-depth about social and political issues. I could not recommend this program more.
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. |
The classes are very small and you can learn a lot. I only wish there were more class options and more Spanish classes after the advanced level. |
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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? |
The host families are truly an amazing experience! They will open up their hearts and homes to you. |
| * Food: |
The food is great in Oaxaca, but varies greatly from house to house and some people were not completely satisfied with what their host family fed them. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I highly recommend this program if you want to develop your Spanish. There are constant opportunities to practice and everyone is very patient and understanding. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never needed health care but had friends who were taken care of immediately when a problem came up. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Oaxaca. While there is always protest activity in Oaxaca, it is easy to avoid dangerous situations as long as you pay attention to your surroundings. |
| 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 |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | high school Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Nothing, it is best to come without any expectations and just get to know Oaxaca. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
