Mountains, wine, and cultural immersion Past Review
By Ashley Piccirillo (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/26/2016 to 07/12/2016 with
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo: Mendoza - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I grew as a person, becoming more confident, calm, and grounded. Definitely worthwhile to gain perspective and think more critically on the aspects of the culture I am from, and learn habits that I want to bring back and integrate as best I can as I readjust to life in the states.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not the most rigorous or organized university, but the difficulty was well suited for allowing for cultural immersion and other excursions while not interfering with academic performance or causing stress. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Mendoza staff was nothing short of wonderful!!! Helpful but allowing for independence and self sufficiency when wanted as well. Organized and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Wonderful host family!!!! They really know how to choose families based on the needs of each student. Family life allowed for more cultural immersion and connection and safety. |
| * Food: |
Food is provided in good quantity, with care taken for allergies and families wanting to cater to student wishes, within the confines of the culture. Not that I would rate Argentinian food as a 5/5, my experience with Argentinian food in my house was good within the cultural context. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
CISI was wonderful, and I was able to go to the gynecologist and dentist and be reimbursed. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, there were for sure moments where I was a little uneasy, that is to be said with whatever city one lives in. Just take taxis at night, stay in lit areas, and make sure to take the cat calls with a grain of salt. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was exactly what I was looking for, enough support for me to feel comfortable, a small city, classes with local students, beautiful nature accesible nearby, immersion that helped with my Spanish, and wonderful wine tastings! |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Depending on how much you want to drink or travel, it is very affordable. I traveled and went out, and did not spend much weekly, I think around 35 on an average week. (During the program and not during the excursions I took myself for weeks off, that is a different story). This is my expenses outside on top of what the program already gave. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 35-45$ for entertainment |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat with your host family whenever you can, it is included in your program fee! Going out and being social with locals from time to time is fun, but if you are able, eat and bond with your family! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 5th semester level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make friends outside of IFSA! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How amazing it was and maybe I would have gone all of junior year... |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
