Past Review

By Sonia P (global studies/spanish/latin american studies, Providence College) for

SIT Study Abroad: Nicaragua - Youth Culture, Literacy and Media

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

This program has allowed me to focus in more on my academic interests and future career goals ie immigration and or gang research. Culturally, I realized very quickly that I did not come to this "poorer" country to show them that life can be better, I came to LEARN from them and they all taught very valuable lessons. And I greatly learned the U.S.'s involvement in Latin America and just how ugly and corrupt it was/is. I only hope that I can educate others and create something positive out of this absolutely amazing experience.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	Universidad Centroamericana
The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

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?	Lived the majority of the time with a host family. Great experience. Had my alone time when needed and family was very caring and supportive. Had my own room and bathroom. <br /><br />
* Food:	Great supply of vegetables and fruits. Easy for vegetarians and non vegetarians.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Managua has great night life, several concerts with local bands. Also, the students participated in a program called, Un techo para mi pais (a roof for my country) similar to that of Habitat for Humanity. Thousands of Nicaraguans and even students from other countries took part in a three day weekend build throughout Nicaragua.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I felt safe, though we had several safety incidents that threatened to close the program down. I felt safe because I followed precaution and tried to appear less like a foreigner ie I didnt show that I had a cell phone, never walked out with my ipod and always hid my money in my shirt. It is a poorer country and many do rob.
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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Bring more money for social life and travel expenses.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Must be a student who is very open-minded, is willing to be challenged academically and culturally. Must be willing to try new things!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Revolution, Transformation and Civil Society Seminar
Course Department:	LACB 3000
Instructor:	several lecturers ranging from activists, ngo's and those in political realm
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Excellent lectures. We were able to meet people who had direct impact on Nicaraguan politics and always had time for questions and answers.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Intensive language study: spanish
Course Department:	SPAN 3005
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Needed more focus on grammar and less on controversial discussion topics. It was great to have oral exams which furthered our speaking ability and also prepared us for our final oral presentation for the independent study project.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	field study seminar
Course Department:	ANTH 3500
Instructor:	Aynn Setright
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Great for class discussion, discussions were chosen by students on a weekly basis. wish more focus had been on how to do research, though.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Independent Study Project
Course Department:	ISPR-3000
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish & English
Comments:	Great experience, really hands-on. Extremely challenging and time-consuming (did not have classes during this time, only interviews and putting together the research). Difficult to set up interviews with the local people.
Credit Transfer Issues: