An amazing experience in Managua Past Review
By Michaela Jenkins (Kenyon College) - abroad from 08/30/2018 to 12/12/2017 with
SIT Study Abroad: Nicaragua - Youth Culture, Literacy and Media
I gained major language learning skills and understanding of life abroad.
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. |
There was general academic rigor but nothing so extreme or intense that I felt that I was overly stressed. There was adequate time and resources provided for all assignments |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The in-country admin was able to meet our every need and was generally accessible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in El Maximo Jerez was such a gift and I loved it! Would go back and live exactly where I did again. |
| * Food: |
Nicaragua food gets repetitive but is delicious and if you're bored of delicious gallo pinto, there's always access to other types of food in Managua. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you make the effort, you can be integrated in the community, though you will have to make the effort. But during the ISP period, I felt extremely integrated in the local culture because I was alone in a community for one month. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
While Managua is a large city with the standard dangers of any city, I generally felt extremely safe. |
| 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) |
Managua is so affordable, I had no issues at all. SIT provided lots of stipends that were very fair. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Lunch had a daily 120 cordoba stipend and spent a little more on snacks or ice cream. |
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 |
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| 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? | 200 level spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Mainly how hot it would be in Managua lol |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
