Past Review
By Patrick S (Mis, Pennsylvania State University - Altoona) for
Penn State Altoona: Guanajuato - Escuela Mexicana
Yes it was worthwhile, I have realized how much more i want to learn about the world and other countries. It made me realize that much of what i have learned in school is extremely americanized and, especially in history, about the United States rather than the world. This trip has made me realize how much more there is to learn than just the American way of life.
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. |
I learned much more about the Spanish language and people from being in a Spanish speaking country. I believe that this has excelerated my comprehension of the language and given me an advantage of other students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The advisor provided everything necessary to have a successful trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a nice family in a beautiful home in Guanajuato, Mexico. THey included me in all of there family activities and taught me a lot about Spanish and culture along the way. |
| * Food: |
My family made me delicious meals and had it promptly ready for me before class and other activities |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone in Guanajuato was very inviting and taught us many things about their night life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It is easy to get overwhelmed and unhealthy if you do not address simple problems, but if you take the necessary precautions, which are stated in various predeparture meetings, you will have no problem at all having a great time. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | They do not serve a big dinner because they do not eat a big dinner, so if you eat a lot at night you would need to pay, although they do serve a sufficient amount of food throughout the day. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 110 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My understanding of the language is far greater now than before i went to Mexico. I am able to differentiate between different words in spanish even if it is spoken at a fast pace. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it, its safe and very enriching. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Conversational Spanish |
| Course Department: | Span 499 |
| Instructor: | Dr. Costantino |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | We were required to challenge ourselves to learn new spanish words and the proper ways to use them. We also brought experiences into class with us and discussed reasoning and the significance of them which helped us understand what was going on around us in the this Mexican environment. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Ancient Civilization |
| Course Department: | Span 497 |
| Instructor: | Dr. Costantino |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | It was informing and it prepared us for out of class activities including historical field trips to Guanajuanto, and Mexico City including the pyramids. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
