Pero like it's my Senior Year Past Review

By (International Global Studies and Latino and Latin American Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/24/2014 to 12/06/2014 with

SIT Study Abroad: Peru - Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained tons of confidence, felt that I grew a lot because of what I was exposed, gained new amazing friends, gained knowledge about a country I can go back and tour people around a city, learned the benefits of my citizenship and it was just another learning experience thats a must, in order to understand.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Their pretty organized and very helpful in terms of putting people into homes that are comfortable and with genueint families.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The family I stayed with were very nice people

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program does its best to make us speak in Spanish and since you are in the country, you have no choice but to integrate yourself into the 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

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)

Since this was my second time going abroad. I had a better idea of budgeting, but it was still a little difficult.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60-100/week

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 108- Spanish for Heritage Speakers
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Use your family members, meet local people and don't be scared to speak the language. It's the only way you'll learn. Express yourself, even if you don't make sense, people will correct you. However, don't get offended.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Travelling
  • Research
  • Program directors
* What could be improved?
  • Beginning to specify ISP topics from the beginning
  • Quechua courses from the beginning
  • the provide a tourist past to visit Museums and ruins, we should have time tp get to do this during the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would of known to bring my student ID card, bring rain boots, hiking boots(for the hiking we did with the program)

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.