Puebla, Mexico Program: A Very Worthwhile Experience Past Review
By Kyle W (Psychology and Spanish, Valparaiso University) for
Universidad de las Americas - Puebla / UDLAP : Puebla - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Was an amazing experience. Challenging at times, but I liked that about it. Learned a lot about a new culture, people, and country, and a lot about myself. So glad I went.
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. |
My experience was that the workload was significantly less than at my home university. However, I think a big part of that is because I was studying abroad. I'm glad the workload was less because it enabled me to get out and learn many new things informally - outside of the classroom. The grading system works well at my host university but the grading conversion between my host and home universities is not in favor of the students and makes it difficult to get an equivalent grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amigos Internacionales program was great!! I felt very welcomed and they went above and beyond to help us get settled. Office of International Affairs was accessible and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing situation was good. |
| * Food: |
Food on and around campus was great, and really cheap. One of my favorites were Cemitas. They are specific to the state of Puebla. Also, it may take a while but really try to adapt to the eating schedule with the big meal from about 2-4pm. Don't forget fruits and vegetables either. I had too many meals that were almost purely meat, cheese, and eggs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
trips through UDLAP are very good |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe. Don't be stupid or naive and you'll be fine. Felt just as safe as my home university. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about $80. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I tried to spend under 100 pesos a day on week days, and that worked pretty well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 level course |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people did speak English but I could practice with almost anyone and I would say that it is pretty necessary to use the host country language in everyday interactions. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it! You have to have some initiative to do this program because it is pretty much all what you make it. However, if you take advantage of all there is to offer I think this program has more opportunities than some of the other programs. I think this program is very unique in that is not too structured or too loose. There is structure if and when you need and want it and there is also lots of freedom to make it your own. Another great part about this program is that it enables you to get involved on your host campus and make friends there but it also allows you to do pretty much all the traveling you want. |
