My Incredible Experience in Uruguay February 14, 2023

By Charlotte S (Architecture and Spanish, Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/30/2022 to 12/21/2022 with

Universidad ORT Uruguay: Montevideo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to live on my own in a city in a different country/continent/hemisphere, where the language spoken was not my first language, and I made friends from all around the world while becoming ingrained in the local culture. It was everything I could have asked for.

Review Photos

Universidad ORT Uruguay: Montevideo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I loved it. It was the perfect experience for me.

Finances

* 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)	I definitely spent a bit more money than others because, due to my schedule with my classes and internship, it made more sense for me to eat out for lunch every day rather than cooking.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Probably around $150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
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?	400
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?	Make friends who truly want to speak the language, so that way you can get to know the language in a more casual, non academic setting.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students
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?	other international student friends whom I spoke Spanish with my internship the overall culture/living with my host family/getting to live there long enough to feel like a local
* What could be improved?	the writing/culture class could have more excursions like to museums
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I didn't need to pack as much as I did.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Proyecto 2
Course Department:	Facultad de Arquitectura
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was a project based architecture studio class that allowed me to put to use newfound skills regarding digital programs for creating renders and schemes, which I really enjoyed.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I don't know yet

Course Name/Rating:	Dibujo 2
Course Department:	Facultad de Arquitectura
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	I learned both new hand drawing and digital drawing techniques through various projects that will aid me immensely in the future.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I don't know yet.

Course Name/Rating:	Procedimientos Constructivos 4
Course Department:	Facultad de Arquitectura
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was an on site, hands on construction class that taught us how buildings actually go from an architectural design on paper or a screen to a real, tangible structure, which I found really cool. And we got to get dirty and actually do the construction work.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I don't know yet.

Course Name/Rating:	Internship
Course Department:	Ministerio de Educación y Cultura
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	My internship was one of the best parts of my experience abroad. I got experience working with a real architect on real projects for educational buildings in Montevideo and throughout Uruguay. It really informed my perspective on being an architect and the ability to enact real social change through architecture.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.