qué padre! Past Review

By (University of North Texas) - abroad from 01/30/2016 to 04/30/2016 with

Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that it's okay to take my time, and not rush myself. I'm slow anyway, but to not let other people hurry me. I improved my spanish, and I improved my listening skills.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food was amazing- eat everything.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Please don't wear shorts unless you really want to draw attention to yourself. I mean, you can, but you'll just stick out even more so than normal.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Sol was really helpful, especially with integration into a big cultural experience.

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)

I rarely had to go to the atm, to be honest.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 10 USD I think, probably less. I didn't eat out much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Haggle for prices.

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

I used it all the time, but my group really didn't, and I wish they had better enforced it.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? advanced spanish grammar- about 3000 level.
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? Don't speak english. ever. Switch your phone and tablet and ipod and any electronic to the target language, read stuff in it, really immerse yourself.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • food
  • excursions
  • host family
* What could be improved?
  • enforce target language
  • split group into smaller groups
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't overpack

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.