Eye-opening Experience! Service Learning Past Review
By Lauren S (Spanish and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse: Dominican Republic Alternative Spring Break
I gained a motivation and determination to make a difference in people's lives here in the United States as well. I saw how feasible it was to do and want to continue doing that in both my personal and professional life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved learning through the experience!! I learned life-long lessons that has made me a better person. This trip has changed my life in ways I never expected. I would definitely recommend studying abroad to others. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I feel like it was a very productive trip overall. However, next year I would recommend focusing the group's efforts toward either manual labor or the children of the village. By dividing our time this year, I felt we only were able to do a half job in both places. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food was always delicious. We ate a lot of rice and beans. It was very easy for vegetarians to find non-meat options. We also always had a wide variety of fruit available to us. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
La Playa Escondida |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The food consisted of a lot of rice and beans but it was always delicious. I loved the variety of fruit that was offered. If you are vegetarian, it is easy to find non-meat dishes wherever you go. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Spanish daily to interact with the locals. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Any student with a willing spirit and an eagerness to contribute some hard work in a foreign setting would greatly benefit from this experience. |
