Mexico- A Life Changing Experience Past Review
By Jarrett T (Latin American Studies., Austin College) for
Universidad Veracruzana: Xalapa - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned I could survive (and later thrive) in a foreign country so that had a big impact. I also learned to appreciate all the things I have back home that I took for granted.
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. |
It was much more laid back than at AC, but I was still challenged so that was good. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a few difficulties with the director, but we're very different people so it could have been that. He was very knowledgeable and helpful whenever I had questions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Delicious food, but I got sick for the first two months or so trying to get used to it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Tajin and Oaxaca, and the school would have cultural functions occasionally so that was fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just be intelligent, don't go around alone at night and you should be fine. There was one shootout in a Chedraui while we were there but it was just a robbery, nothing drug related I don't believe. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It's pretty cheap, you shouldn't have too many issues. |
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? | 450 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
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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 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? | Don't be afraid to change host families, it made all the difference in my trip. |
