Cuba is amazing and confusing and challenging! Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 12/19/2016 with

Sarah Lawrence College: Havana - Sarah Lawrence College in Cuba

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

It was worthwhile! I learned SO much about myself and Cuba. I really gained a new perspective on US-Cuba relations, what it means to be an "American," and how we fit into the rest of the world. I also had so much thinking time that I was able to learn a lot about myself

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* 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:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The program directors were amazing, and I firmly believe that Sarah Lawrence has the best study abroad program available in Havana.

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?	$40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Nope!

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?	Intermediate
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?	300
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?	Talk to locals

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
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?	The directors The diversity of schools you can take classes at The way they select participants
* What could be improved?	Housing (would prefer to live in Centro instead of Vedado) More flexible application process Less of a nuclear program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew more about the University of Havana.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Biodiversidad en Cuba
Course Department:	Facultad de Biologia
Instructor:	Lourdes
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The class was a survey class, and not too intense. The field trips were great! I learned a lot.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No, I got major credit easily.

Course Name/Rating:	Spanish
Course Department:	ISA Spanish
Instructor:	Ivan
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Ivan was great! I learned so much about Spanish language and Cuban culture.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	CEDEM
Course Department:	Centro de Estudio Demograficos
Instructor:	Wiliam Mondejar
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was a survey course that was very helpful and I learned a lot, but I wish it had been more discussion based.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Sociología de Genero
Course Department:	Facultad de Filosofia
Instructor:	Clotilde Proveyer
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was a great intro gender class, graded on seminars and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Historia Medioambiental
Course Department:	Facultad de Filosofia
Instructor:	Reinaldo Funes Monzonte
Instruction Language:	Spansish
Comments:	Funes is a great professor. He was very helpful with Spanish. We were assessed with presentations and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No