The Best Semester of My Life! Past Review
By Alexandra Melnick (Millsaps College) - abroad from 08/16/2016 to 12/02/2016 with
Millsaps College: Fall 2015 Semester in Yucatán
It was one of the most worthwhile experiences I have ever had. This trip taught me the power of listening. Listen to everything. The language, market places, calles, and inside local catinas. This trip really taught me that the small details unlock the hidden world of things inside cultural traditions.
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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This semester abroad in the Yucatan changed the course of my life in a deep and pivotal way. The friends I made and the sights I saw during these (far too brief) six months are constantly in my mind, and I'm still processing and understanding the Yucatan. Studying abroad with Millsaps gave me a serious case of the travel bug, and I'll be returning to Mexico for many years to come. This trip abroad taught me more than Spanish and Yuctec history- it taught me about myself and who I really am. This trip profoundly changed what I value, what I prioritize, and changed my career path from journalist to public school teacher. |
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? | I took a brief trip to Mexico City and was able to visit there very comfortably for around 300 dollars for a week, |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be sure to buy your snacks or food at local grocery stores, and bring a water filter so you don't have to keep buying water bottles! |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | I entered the course with no formal training in Spanish other than what I had learned in K-12. |
| 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? | Make friends with people who are your age! You'll learn faster because you'll want to communicate better with your new amigos! |
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? | I wish I knew I was about to have my life changed! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
