The best experience ever! February 27, 2021
By Naho Yamada (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) - abroad from 07/27/2019 to 12/07/2019 with
CLA: Guanajuato - Liberal Arts & Culture Semester
The experience in Guanajuato was the best thing ever in my life. I learned so many things, first my Spanish made a great progress and by living with host families, I also learned not only how delicious the Mexican food is, but also how warm the family and relatives connection is and their positive way of thinking. Also, those classes of Spanish and of the university were so interesting. I learned a lot! Also, I really enjoyed knowing new people there.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
I am Japanese and there were no certain vaccinations needed to be done to visit the country, but there were some that were recommended. When I got sick or when I caught a cold, my host family and Fabiola and Samantha (the program directors) took very good care of me and once when a cold was sticking around, Samantha took me to a hospital and once my host mother took me to a pharmacy, where you can see a doctor for free, and which is common in Mexico. But mostly I was fine! |
| * Safety: |
well, compared to japan, you should be careful with your stuff and walking at night but I never felt unsafe there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
because I couldn't have experienced that much without this program in Guanajuato! |
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 |
We were always talking in Spanish 24/7 and they were always helping us with the 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 |
| 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? | Go outside and have fun talking with the local people! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | that in January it gets pretty cold. |
