Good value but needed more integration Past Review

By (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 05/26/2019 to 06/30/2019 with

Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla / UPAEP: Puebla - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained comfortability in a Spanish speaking country.

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?

I would have preferred to be placed with a family by myself rather than with another student from the united states.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was insufficient immersion in the program.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not have any health issues

* Safety:

I felt safe enough as long as followed the rules of the program.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would have done one of the other tracts within the program to increase my immersion.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $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

Some encouragement but there needed to be more interaction with native speakers.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? High School Spanish
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? Do the one of the other tracts such as business or health as they required more immersion.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked the excursions
* What could be improved?
  • The immersion
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew there were other tracts.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.