I went to Mexico and reviewed it for some third party company. Past Review
By Chris C (International Relations and Affairs., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/27/2014 to 07/09/2014 with
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM): Queretaro - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My spanish greatly improved, and I gained a greater appreciation of the sometimes tragic socio-economic situation in Mexico and of Mexican culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program coordination was an absolute mess at the beginning. First starters, I only found out that I was accepted into the program 3 days before the arrival date. There was no plan or detailed information given to students about what to do or where to go upon arrival in Queretaro. It seemed to be a mad scramble to pick up students arriving at two different airports. It was a mess and nearly every other student had communication issues with the international coordinator. Although I arrived on the scheduled arrival date, I was told by the international that I wouldn't be able to stay in the dorm I had requested until the next day. Instead, I had to foot the bill at a nearby (and expensive) hotel, along with 3 or 4 other exchange students. Other students had problems with their schedules, but I personally had none. The organization was so poor initially that the main coordinator was actually fired the second week of our stay, and most the responsibilities where taken care of by student employees. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | less than 100 dollars |
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 |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | introductory level |
| 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? | talk to the locals |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I would have to foot the bill for a hotel the first night. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
