Never comfortable and never boring Past Review
By Christian R (English Literature (British and Commonwealth)., Pitzer College) - abroad from 08/23/2014 to 12/14/2013 with
Sarah Lawrence College: Havana - Sarah Lawrence College in Cuba
I learned that I am American, that there is an "Americanness" that I unconsciously exude, and that my material privileges do not always reflect a better quality of life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Fantastic in every way, shape, and form. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Besides the occasional leak due to heavy rain, our living arrangement was tremendous. |
| * Food: |
Cuba has the best food in the world |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not much, but it was my decision to proceed that way. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Quickest and cheapest health care I have ever been exposed to. |
| * Safety: |
Havana is the safest city I have ever visited |
| 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) |
Cuba is a very cheap country |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan ahead, write down a budget if you feel tight with money |
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 |
An initial mandate to use it on the streets was relaxed to make our time on the street less stressful. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish |
| 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? | Television! Univision! TeleMundo! TeleSur, TV Azteca, if you can find it. FUTBOL! I found those were the best resources to accustom oneself to listening. |
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? | That I cannot escape being judged as American |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
