Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Service Learning in El Salvador Past Review

By (Latin American and Caribean Studies, DePauw University) for

Universidad Centroamericana, José Simeón Cañas: El Salvador - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
ABSOLUTELY.

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.

The majority of the work was reading and then two long papers per course.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All aspects of the program were effective.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Quality/diverse food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Traveled all over El Salvador.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Very safe. Gave good instruction and guidelines to follow.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Travel money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level Spanish course
Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced in class, with my host family, and with the other students.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Service Learning.
* What could be improved?
  • More advertisement.