SFS Mexico: Best Experience of my Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload at the beginning of the program was a little overwhelming, as we had multiple reports happening at the same time. But once we as students got into the rhythm of the center, the workload became much more bearable.

On-site administration of your program

The center in Mexico was probably the most technologically stable. We had relatively stable wireless internet, a television with a VCR and a DVD player (but no cable), clean running water, hot showers, and indoor plumbing. All professors and most staff lived on campus with us, which made the center director easy to locate. He was extremely helpful with all issues that arose, and everything was handled quickly and easily.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in huts, with 1-4 people in each. Usually, the program has one or two local students as well as American students, but the semester I went had only American students. Therefore, we all spoke English, although we helped each other with Spanish as well. We spent a day with a host family, who was amazingly sweet and actually took us in when our initial family was unable to. The huts were all on campus, arranged in a semi-circle with the bath house in the center. Sheets, blankets, mattresses, a full kitchen, shelving, etc. was included. We needed to bring our own camp supplies, like tupperware, but when we were dining on campus everything was provided. The campus was gated, with a guard who worked at night. The gates were often open during the day, as we had many visitors, but were closed at night, and Braulio did not allow any non-students onto the campus. We had daily curfews, but the staff was able to extend them if we had good behavior and asked in advance. The town itself was safe, and most locals (particularly the young men) actively sought to make sure we were comfortable in town. It was an amazing location and experience.

If I could add more stars to this rating, I would. Two local women were our chefs, and they made amazing meals. They had a great balance of Mexican meals (like chilequiles) with American meals (such as lasagna). Students cooked meals on Sundays so the chefs could have the day off. They accommodated a vegetarian and a Jewish student, keeping things cooked in pork fat separate from more kosher/vegetarian options. As far as food in town goes, we had not found a restaurant we did not like. The best places in the whole state, however, are the little food stands on the side of the road. San Carlos has a hot dog stand and a couple taco stands that serve amazing food and have great patrons.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people in town were amazing, but there were three camping trips that SFS took. The last one was a six-day tour of the Baja peninsula, where we stopped in La Paz, Cabo Pulmo, Cabo San Lucas, and Asupmatoma. We got to release baby sea turtles, camp on the beach, swim with whale sharks, and snorkel on the coral reef.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The town was extremely safe; we were allowed to go out in pairs any time before 10pm (12pm on weekends) and we never felt uncomfortable hanging out at the club or a restaurant. I visited a clinic in town and was satisfied with the doctor and the medical attention, although the medication I needed could not be obtained in town and one of the staff members needed to travel to another town to pick it up for me. The appointment was arranged by Gustavo, and one of the interns took me to the appointment. The only illness that we encountered was a common cold and a few instances of Mexican food not agreeing with American stomachs. We did not feel like we had any risk of encountering undercooked food or any other illnesses associated with Mexico.

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

The staff members at the center spoke primarily English, although everyone spoke Spanish as well. Spanish could be practiced with any of the professors, interns, or other staff members. I personally practiced my speech quite a bit with the night guard, who was extremely patient with my bad grammar and worse accent. Most people in the town itself spoke only Spanish, so research conducted in town was conducted solely in Spanish.

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• Other

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• Americans

• The people
• The location
• The academic setting (not just in the classroom)

• nothing