Great experience (with some drawbacks) Past Review
By Nicoleta Dvornicov (Berea College) - abroad from 09/10/2016 to 12/10/2016 with
KIIS: Merida - Experience Merida Semester Program
I improved my Spanish, made some great friends, discovered Mexico through a new lens, visited wonderful sites, and learned to dance Salsa. It was worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
Claudia was so helpful and nice. It was a pleasure to have met her. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a wonderful experience, but I did not like some elements about the program. The group was dominated by one college (17 out of 20 students were from the same college), and this put the other 3 students in a different position. The Program Director was not as attentive in making some assignments, which let the other 3 students (including myself) feel like the "outsiders." I think more diversity (in terms of Colleges) would have fixed this issue. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $10. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | To not take all the money they have when they go out. If you bring only a certain portion, it is easier not to spend too much. |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 315 |
| 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? | I would advise for the students to integrate themselves into the local culture where the locals hang out: dancing classes, library, university activities, and etc. |
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? |
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? | Not applicable. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Linguistic Class |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Jason Doroga |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The topic of the class was interesting, but many assignments seemed to be busy-work and the exams were extremely long and tedious. Except this, I learned a lot. |
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Literature Class |
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| Instructor: | MARIA DEL MAR PATRON VAZQUEZ |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Excellent class. The teacher cared about our progress, pushed us to exceed and think critically in Spanish, and set the conditions for us to speak only Spanish in class. |
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Culture Class |
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| Instructor: | Silvia Navarrete Rivero |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It did not feel like this was a College level class. The expectations were not clear. I don't think I have learned much. |
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Insiders and Outsiders |
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| Instructor: | Jason Doroga |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | |
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