Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome! Past Review

By (Urban Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/01/2015 to 05/01/2015 with

Autonomous University of Social Movements: Havana - History, Culture and Politics in Cuba

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Extremely worthwhile, a politically radicalizing experience based in salsa rhythms and extreme generosity.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take the bus!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? Upper 300 level
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? Talk with your host family and approach people on the street.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Host Family
  • Academic Content
  • Cuba
* What could be improved?
  • More emphasis on Spanish
  • Tougher assessments
  • Not as many cancelled events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wished I had better planned communication, which ended up being quite difficult.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Spanish
Course Department: N/A
Instructor: Marianela Morán
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Very knowledgable professor that used discussion-based polemics to structure the course. Not much homework, but intensive participation forced students to engage with the language and with their unfolding experiences. Written and oral assessments appropriately accompanied a mostly human-centered learning approach.
Credit Transfer Issues: Nope, none whatsoever.