Guanajuato, Mexico: Memories that'll last a lifetime. Past Review
By Lindsay P (Liberal Studies, California Baptist University) for
Universidad de Guanajuato: Guanajuato - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I loved my ISA experience in Guanajuato. The city's beauty was captivating and the excursions were once in a lifetime opportunities. I miss Guanajuato very much, and plan to go back one of these days. I was satisfied with the teachers and the University. I learned a lot of the Spanish language and came back to the US much more fluent than I was before.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was not too much. It was enough to teach me what I needed to know. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of my expectations were fully met. I highly enjoyed every excursion that we were able to go on. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My roommate and I were treated well by our host family. We received everything we needed, including food everyday. Our host family was not too social with us, however we had everything we needed in terms of shelter and a warm bed. Our house was in a very nice neighborhood and was about a 20 minute walk into town and to our school. It was a great location. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Every weekend we went to a different part of Mexico. We rode horses up a volcano, explored historical parts of various cities, relaxed on the beach in Puerta Vallarta, and climbed the pyramids near Mexico City. Every trip was amazing and unforgettable. Oh yes, and we also climbed mountains and repelled off of a cliff. Very thrilling! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We all felt very safe in Guanajuato. There were no issues with safety. We simply knew to stay together at night and to be smart, just like any other country. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish with the host family I lived with and with my professors at school. I also spoke the language around town. Only my fellow students spoke English. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | For this program, you need to be an active person who is open-minded and interested in the Mexican culture. It's important to use your Spanish skills as much as possible and to be there not just to travel and enjoy, but to learn and grow as a person. |
