Discovering Love Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies and Afro and African American Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/26/2013 to 12/14/2013 with

CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I discovered the meaning of Love through connecting with nature and with everything around us. I reconnected with the ocean and with my roots and my culture. I rediscovered the Peace and Joy in flowing with everything that life brings us. Worthwhile doesn't begin to discover all I gained from this experience.

Review Photos

CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts Photo CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts Photo CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts Photo CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts Photo CIEE: Salvador- Liberal Arts Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Program courses were excellent but university courses were lacking in academic depth and rigor.

* 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:

Listen to instructions and walk with confidence and without fear. Can be as safe or as dangerous as you allow it to be.

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? $20

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? Fluent
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? Native speaker
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Listen and speak.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The traveling.
  • The freedom to make it my own experience.
  • The food.
* What could be improved?
  • The academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That by realizing that we are all one and that we can be a part of any community anywhere in the world and seeing ourselves as that and not as outsiders we can more easily see the similarities in culture, in humanity and feel comfortable in a new environment.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.