Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learn about yourself through Nicaragua Past Review

By (Political Science, Economics, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 05/15/2012 to 06/15/2012 with

SUNY Geneseo: El Sauce - Service Learning in Nicaragua

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to conduct myself in my travels in the future. Yes.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great professor, great place to study Humanities II.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Keep an open mind to the food. It will change the way you view on the way we think about food in America.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was obvious when a group of 15+ Americans would walk around the together, however, the Nicas are a welcoming and hospitable people. If you make the effort to be friendly, they will open up and try to communicate with you, even if your Spanish is at best, basic.

* 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)

Exchange rate makes spending very low and affordability great.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent 300 USD over the course of a month.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Everything
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Spend more time getting to know the locals.