Soy celeste! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses designed for the international students are not very rigorous, which of course could be a positive thing, but at the same time I do not feel like my knowledge of Spanish was improved through classes.

On-site administration of your program

The coordinators at la Catolica are very unfriendly. I never felt comfortable enough to ask them for any help, and even if I did, they made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome. Also, they do not organize any activities, trips, nor events for international students.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with two host families. At first, I lived with an older woman and her daughter. However, her daughter was never home and the woman never offered to do anything. She was very condescending, and I was bored all the time. I was able to switch host families and ended up living with a mother, her three children, and another international student. This turned out to be a better situation, however, I still did not feel like I was very welcomed in to their home. If I could do it over again, I probably would not choose to live with a host family, but rather in a residential apartment with other international students.

Overall, Uruguayan food is very good. Lots of meat, so vegetarians beware. When it comes to my host family though, there was not always food available. Sometimes there was no bread to eat for breakfast, so I had to go to class hungry. Also, I never received lunch while living with my host family. Granted, I was in class during lunch time, but it seemed like all my classmates' host families would make them a lunch to take to class. We typically ate dinner together, but sometimes I had to make dinner just for myself if no one was home.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Uruguayan students at la Catolica are not really receptive toward international students. Especially in classes beyond first year, the students seem to already have their own "groups", so it is very difficult to try and be friends or even talk with them. Outside of class, I loved going to ferias on the weekends and experiencing Uruguayan culture through their holidays and day-to-day activities, such as walking along the rambla.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues while abroad. I did know one international student who needed to go to the hospital for an injury, and they seemed to have taken good care of him.

As a female, you always have to be a little more cautious. You will have men say things to you and stare at you while you are walking around the city. Also, girls, DO NOT wear anything revealing (short shorts, short dresses, short skirts), because you will be verbally harassed and stared at by random men and likely feel very uncomfortable. Do whatever you can to not look like a tourist, especially at ferias (Tristan Narvaja, especially). Other than that, just be aware of your surroundings and do not go anywhere alone at night; especially Ciudad Vieja.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Uruguay is a very expensive country. Anything imported (shampoos, lotion, imported food) is easily two to three times more expensive than it normally would be. Just be very conscience of your money and how you spend it!

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

Obviously, we were expected to use Spanish in class, however, there were not repercussions if we spoke to one another in our native languages.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• International Students
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• International Students

• Being able to travel
• Interacting with other international students

• The intercambio office
• The language class - Idioma Espanol

The Academic or Linguist