Amazing experience! Past Review
By Alexandra Bruhn (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 06/03/2017 to 07/23/2017 with
USAC Cuba: La Habana - Cuban History, Society, Politics, and Culture
How to come out of my comfort zone and learn from experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Even though the resources are limited in Cuba, the professors were very understanding and helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program adviser and faculty were kind and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great living situation making me feel very comfortable and safe. |
| * Food: |
Limited resources of food so don't expect a lot of variety. But good non the less. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was not expensive but you would not have known with the things that were provided to me. The people and the classes helped make it such a wonderful experience. |
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 |
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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 |
It all depends on you, but the class I selected was in my foreign language. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 202 |
| 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? | Use it as much as you before hand as you can. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How limited Cuba was to resources such as water and toilet paper. |
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.' |
