Intensive Language Courses in Mexico improved my Spanish immensely! Past Review

By Abigail M (History, Art, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) for

University of Minnesota: Cuernavaca - Study Abroad in Mexico

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

My study abroad experience greatly improved my Spanish language skills. I was only there for three weeks and had little Spanish skills prior. By the time I left I was easily conversing with locals. It was a great experience for anyone who would like to learn Spanish.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Cemanahuac Educational Community is a small school, but rather than being a weakness, the size of school contributed to a better learning environment. Teachers were willing to help all students, everyone on campus knew my name, and there was ample opportunity for additional instruction and help from teaching assistants. The school also arranged very good excursions to area landmarks that were lead by a local anthropologist.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family provided everything I needed for my three week stay, including three meals a day (paid for in my tuition). They did not speak English so I was forced to use Spanish to communicate but had absolutely no problems. The house was clean and safe; each of the four of us who stayed were given keys to enter the premises, which were always kept locked. I was housed less than a mile from campus and had access to various buses and taxis.
* Food:	I was given plenty of food and access to store my own food in the family refrigerator.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	We were given a school-guided tour through Teotehuacan (the pyramid of the Sun) and parts of Mexico City. I also participated in a guided tour through the city of Cuernavaca that was incredibly informative. As the New Year fell during my stay, the program arranged a for a party at one of the host homes for all of the program participants. This provided us with a safe place to socialize.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	At the time of my stay Cuernavaca was experiencing violence due to the Drug War. Although there was a military presence in the city, my host family's home was located on the south end of the city, far from the Northern military base. I experienced no safety issues due to this problem.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
Language acquisition improvement?	My study abroad coursework was a single, Spanish language program. My course was taught by a native Spanish speaker and only Spanish was used in class. I was able to practice Spanish in school, at home with my host family, and will pretty much every person I encountered outside of my program.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?