Spanish Integration and New Experiences Past Review
By lizzy m (Bethel University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/23/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Guatemala
it was worthwhile. i learned how to be independent.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We spent a lot of time in classes and with each other. Those are both really important, but getting more opportunities to integrate with the culture and the people of guatemala would have been really nice. Though we could do this on our own time, it would have been helpful to have organized time to do so. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Don't walk anywhere alone past 5. it may not look dangerous when it isn't dark out, but there are still dangerous situations present, even in the daylight. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It was a lot easier in Magdalena to save money. Antigua is more touristy so it was more expensive. The stipend didn't usually cover lunch and dinner costs at the safer, more touristy restaurants. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | budget in advance. plan how much you will spend on food and gifts for people and really try to stick to it. |
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 |
we took 4 hour classes, 5 days a week. we were encouraged to speak spanish whenever given the opportunity. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Second Year, Second Semester. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | 0 |
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? | speak in spanish as much as possible. |
