Make the best of it - Provoke the experience that you want Past Review
By Adrien L (International Business, Trinity University) - abroad from 02/26/2017 to 07/08/2017 with
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo: Mendoza - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My spanish is through the roof - my cultural understanding is as well. My patience, my personality, and my view on life evolved. Definitely worth while
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It depends on what you expect to accomplish. I took elective classes and did not want to take tough courses. That was my choice, and I do not regret it at all. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are there if you need them - Friendly and understanding staff! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If you are really looking for a cultural experience request a large family. I stayed with the Wittensteins and they definitely made my experience so much better. There were 3 brothers and 1 sister a little bit older than I am that would invite me to their gatherings and parties. My study Abroad experience would not have been the same without my host family, I got lucky! |
| * Food: |
Asado + wine + empanadas... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It is what you make of it, If you try and provoke it you will get integrated. Take every possibility or chance or plan that you get thrown your way. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no conflicts while abroad |
| * Safety: |
Mendoza is safe, keep an eye out for the surrounding parts of Mendoza, as soon as you start getting further from the city and closer to the mountains it can get sketchy. People will tell you the spots to avoid. Don't act like a tourist and you won't draw attention to yourself. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would not take back my experience, I needed it and I love Mendoza and the people that I met. There are so many places to discover and I can't say that in a different situation I would chose this same program |
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) |
Be smart with your money but keep in mind that you are abroad and if there is something you really want to do this is the best time to do it. It depends on everyone's economic stability. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It varies |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You'll figure it out! |
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 |
It's the point of studying abroad |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3000 level class |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Get a boy/girl friend. When you start arguing in a foreign language and win the argument that's when you know you made it! |
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? | Nothing, it's more fun to figure it all out by yourself when you get there. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
