A Look Into the Mexican Culture Past Review
By Mauricio G (International Relations and Affairs., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/26/2014 to 07/09/2014 with
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM): Queretaro - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about the Mexican political system and Mexican society in general. I think it was all worthwhile and learned about different perspectives towards Americans.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is not that the work you do is hard, but rather, it is a LOT of work. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They had a great international programs office in which they took great care for international students. They also organized trips and get-togethers with locals to get the full experience both on and off campus. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Despite Mexico being a dangerous country, Querétaro touts being the number 2 safest city in Mexico. Not once did I have a problem there nor did any of the students I was around with. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
Querétaro is a somewhat expensive city. You can sometimes eat at places for $50 MXN but most places will charge at least $120 MXN per dish. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $1000 MXN |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look around for restaurants, don't eat at the same places. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none, spoke Spanish at home |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Study Spanish among international students. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | N/A |
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.' |
