A wonderful, enriching experience that I would love to do again! Past Review
By Rhyan A Malachowski (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/10/2017 to 07/01/2017 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned how they live in Oaxaca, Mexico. I learned how different their culture is. It was definititely worthwhile!
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. |
It was just enough education! I came home with a much better vocabulary. |
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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? |
Loved the family and all was well. I was just a little bit afraid of the bugs! The door to my room opened to the outside and had a big gap at the bottom. I had to kill a couple of cockroaches! And there were ants in my room as well. |
| * Food: |
Wonderful meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. |
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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? |
No health issues |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
They took really good care of me. I have no complaints! |
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 brought cash and a credit card. I found that it was much easier to pay with cash, so next time I will bring more! Everything was very affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring a nice amount of cash. When you are dining out with friends, everyone pays cash. The credit card is rarely used. |
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 |
5 |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish IV |
| 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? | Speak it as much as you can with your host family! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I know that I can be away from my family and do fine. It was a little hard to get used to at first, I felt a little sad, but eventually, I didn't want to leave! |
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! |
