Cuernavaca - Make Every Moment Worth It! Past Review
By Julie C (MA in TESL, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville) for
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM): Cuernavaca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My experience was amazing. I learned a lot from my students and look forward to teaching in the future. This program really reinforced that I have made the right decision to get my MA in TESL.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I wish that we had received more methodology experience and direction before going to Mexico, but jumping in feet first is a good way to gain a different type of experience - the less controlled way of teaching. No forced curriculum, no set method or approach, just our (minimal) experience and our ambitions. Some beginner teachers crave more structure, but not having that structure really allows you to questions your own approach and natural style of teaching. |
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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? |
I loved Cuernavaca and the surrounding cities of Taxco, Teotijuacan, Tepotzlan, and Pie de la Cuesta. Our freedom in our program also allowed us to take weekend excursions and meet international students, which is an important aspect of any travel experience. I realize that there may be a dangerous situation with the drug war in Cuernavaca, but we saw nothing related to it, and had no problems. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | For future students interested in this program or similar ones: Get in contact with the head of the program in the country/city/university that you are working with early. Try to get TOEFL scores and a good idea of who your students are, what their proficiency level is, and what their specific learner needs are. If you can create and email a survey to your students before you arrive then you can get a good idea of their expectations and goals for your class and for you as a teacher. Also, with this information, spend plenty of time creating general lesson plans and gathering materials before you leave for your trip/experience. This pre-planning is invaluable! It not only gives you confidence that you have back-up plans and a basis to begin, but it will also give you more free time in Mexico to experience the culture, take langauge classes, weekend trips, meet international students, or anything else that you might like to do. |
