an amazing, life changing program. don't miss out! Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/06/2017 to 06/06/2017 with
Universidad Veracruzana: Xalapa - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
yes. language fluency, confidence living abroad, familiarity with mexican culture, long-lasting relationships
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
interesting classes, small class size in humanities, engaging professors, class with Rob (program director) about history/culture of Mexico very useful, as well as the class on Cuba (also history/culture), prepared us well to appreciate and experience deeply our abroad experience |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Rob, the director, is always available for advice/help/support. From the very beginning, very well organized and thought-out program, with support with everything from safety to food to developing meaningful relationships and how to make the most of your abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was a dream come true. Welcomed me into their house, into their family, and were a defining part of my abroad experience. Good quality living arrangements, with my own room, and I was the only exchange student with the family, so it was a very immersive experience. My house was close to "el centro", so a very convenient location. |
| * Food: |
Love it. Delicious, flavorful, and a lot of fresh fruit!! Food is very very affordable, and there are many restaurants with "comida corrida" for lunch, which is about $1.50 for a filling meal of appetizer, main course, agua fresca, and dessert (and always unlimited tortillas) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
made a lot of friends from xalapa, played pick-up soccer with random group of guys almost every day, got to know the artistic/feminist scene a bit! Of course, one semester is not enough time to get to know everything Xalapa has to offer, but it's more than enough time to check out the different scenes in the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
very accessible healthcare, affordable and good quality doctors, pharmacy's are accessible and affordable. |
| * Safety: |
Xalapa is one of the safest cities I've lived in. Just like any city (whether in the States or any other city) you've got to be aware of your surroundings, but it is a very safe and friendly city. Many students come from other cities or parts of Mexico during the semester, so it is a very young city! |
| 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) |
Xalapa is one of the most affordable cities in Mexico, because there are a lot of students. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat with your host 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 |
we only spoke spanish, even with other students in the program. 100% immersive from the beginning so we learned FAST! |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level |
| 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? | commit to only speaking spanish, and try to limit time on the internet/social media in english. one of the most important things the first couple of weeks is to speak spanish with the other people in your program, even if it's more difficult. I promise, it'll get easier. |
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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| 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? | I didn't know I was going to decide to stay for the summer! |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
globalization of world system |
| Course Department: | anthropology |
| Instructor: | solano |
| Instruction Language: | spanish |
| Comments: | learned a lot about globalization/neoliberalization, from mexican perspective |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
