Amazing!! Past Review
By Amy Blum (Elizabethtown College) - abroad from 06/09/2018 to 07/30/2018 with
Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was absolutely worthwhile! I learned about a culture and improved my ability to speak Spanish
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. |
Not very rigorous...but very informational for cultural do’s and dont’s. Sometimes our instructors were lenient with students using English in the classroom |
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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? |
My host mother was so generous and kind. She always checked in to see how I was doing and was very responsive to text messages. She also always knew our program schedule. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If I could have stayed longer I would have learned more and felt more immersed! But it was definitely an intense immersion experience |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My program directors would always accompany us to the doctor and made sure we were healthy and happy. |
| * Safety: |
It felt very safe....but we were encouraged to not walk around alone at night or in certain parts of the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Sol Abroad was so accommodating and wanted you to have the best experience as possible. They organized many planned excursions while leaving you with time to explore on your own. |
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? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat with your host family as often as possible! |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | Don’t be shy! Speak with your host family, don’t be afraid to speak with locals. They are very patient and friendly! |
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? | Mexican do’s and dont’s...practical language skills |
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.' |
