Mexico- Across the Border in a Whole New Place Past Review

By Dorthea D (Sociology and Spanish, Wellesley College) for

Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla / BUAP: Puebla - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

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

It was worthwhile to learn Spanish. That was my main goal and immersion is necessary to achieve that goal. It definitely made me realize that I hold some prejudices that I did not even know I could have. It was also a good respite from the rigors of Wellesley. It worked with my budget as well.

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.	I had one class with a syllabus. Only one. The rest of the classes I had to go with day by day. Couple this uncertainty with the language barrier, and I often found myself over-prepared, under-prepared or prepared for something that was no longer needed. Most of my growth and learning came outside the classroom. For my Spanish and knowledge of Mexico, the courses did not add much to my learning.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Use them as resource and ask for clarification if you don't understand something. Don't assume automatically that you are not understanding something properly.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I loved my home-stay. They were welcoming and attentive. I greatly enjoyed having my privacy and my own space. I love the location of residence.
* Food:	At my home, the food was not particularly as hardy or authentic. It is a mother and full-grown daughter who are used to cooking for two. They also eat pretty healthily. If you want snacks, then ask (they are supposed to ask in the beginning, but don't worry those choices aren't set in stone). Communication is necessary. Eating at home is cheapest. Going to cafés are great places to study and hangout.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The trips with the program were great (although a little too authoritarian with attendance). Most of all- travel on your own! I cannot stress that enough. Get the other program people together and explore! Go to cafés and meet with friends.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	It was safe.
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?	About 70 pesos at least on buses (5 pesos each way. this would go up if your class/other activities are at different places). about 50-100 on a regular-go-out-to-a-cafe-or-movie weekend.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The checks you get from the office help but plan ahead if you are going to travel.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 269- Caribbean Lit. and Culture.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	Most people did not speak English outside of the program students. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of home-stays. From my host-family I learned and practiced Spanish.

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	Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Try to see if you like Mexican food, customs etc first. The people who got the most out of it already had an inclination to absorbing without much hesitation all of the facets of Mexican culture and the Spanish language.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Relacciones entre Mex. y los EE.UU
Course Department:	LRI 444
Instructor:	Miseal Gonzalez-Ramirez(?)
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This is the class that I actually had a syllabus for. There was also other characteristics of organization that allowed me to follow the material and lean it as well. Miseal talks fast, but as long as you attended and at least attempted the readings, you were generally okay. He certainly has his own views which he sometimes passes off as fact, but he is generally humorous (if you can catch his jokes) and there is usually a high-enrollment in his class. Attendance is necessary/mandatory. There are tests and a paper. All were very doable.
Credit Transfer Issues:	all of my credits transferred.

Course Name/Rating:	Sociologia Urbana
Course Department:	I don't rememeber
Instructor:	Oscar Calderon
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was alright. I actually got to participate in it which was nice. Reading was necessary, but over the semester I think we only read maybe one book and a few other readings. He organized (a not very educational) but fun trip to Mexico City. He was amiable and approachable. There was no syllabus for the class, just attendance, presentations of the readings, participation and a relatively short final essay.
Credit Transfer Issues:	all of my credits transferred.

Course Name/Rating:	Introduccion al Derecho
Course Department:	I don't rememeber
Instructor:	Arturo (Lopez?)
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This was my worst class (experience-wise, grade-wise I was just fine.). I would often be arguing with the Professor every period to get him to be clear with what he expected of us for next class. (The only reason that it even mattered in this class was that he would lecture us on what we had to have prepared for that class- when it was already too late. Needless to say, he did not have a syllabus either.) He might be a great lawyer and he is a nice/inquisitive guy, but I could have learned something if he taught it better.
Credit Transfer Issues:	all of my credits transferred.

Course Name/Rating:	Tendencias Contemporaneos
Course Department:	LLH 241
Instructor:	Calderon (?)
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	We had 2 sections to the course called "Unidades". With this set-up, we had a test and some book reports on the first one and the same for the second one. He called attendance and lectured most of the time. It was an early (8:00) class twice a week. He is smart and the material is interesting. He is lenient and committed to teaching.
Credit Transfer Issues:	all of my credits transferred.