Only at the Green Program Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

GREEN provided excellent information about Peru's specific environmental challenges, but I felt I learned little that I could immediately apply elsewhere. Because GREEN attracts students of all backgrounds, they provide a broad but shallow overview of environmental concerns. As someone studying water resource management in school, it simply wasn't technical enough to meet my needs. Students involved in other backgrounds, however, seemed to gain quite a bit from the experience. This is due in large part to the excellent resources GREEN provides; we met with extremely knowledgeable industry leaders and professors, all of whom were happy to share with students a little of what they know.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Peru has an extremely interesting culture. Much of the traditional Andean culture has been preserved, but Spanish influences and the effects of modern globalization show themselves throughout the nation. All of this combines to create a unique and fascinating way of life that cannot be found elsewhere on the globe.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had some difficulties getting my health care forms filled out and turned in to GREEN. That said, now that GREEN and UNL have a partnership, the task should be easier. While abroad, despite actively working to sanitize our water, a couple of students did become ill; GREEN was, however, quite prepared for this and responded well, taking care of the students as if they were family.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The GREEN Program is quite expensive, but the program costs cover nearly every expense a student would face while abroad (food, housing, etc.). The only two expenses not covered by the program costs are airfare and souvenirs.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program ensured that translators were with the students nearly all of the time, so use of Spanish was not necessary. That said, I did have an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency when I traveled (I could carry on a slow, stuttering conversation), and many seemed thrilled to help me practice my Spanish. The skill also helped me to navigate and communicate better than the other travelers.

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• Hotel

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Tight friendships formed easily
• Cultural immersion in heavenly landscape
• Emotional connection formed with Peru's environmental problems

• Needs a more technical academic focus

The Avid Adventurer