Past Review

By (Math, Pennsylvania State University - Altoona) for

Penn State Altoona: Guanajuato - Escuela Mexicana

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was beyond worthwhile. I would fly back to Guanajuato right this second if possible. It felt like home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks
The term and year this program took place: Summer 2010

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Sometimes it was difficult to decipher between what I thought was important and what my professor was actually looking for.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The trip to Mexico city was really amazing and educational. However, I feel that we spoke much less Spanish there than we did in Guanajuato which was disappointing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was amazing. I love them, and I cannot wait to go back to Guanajuato and visit them. They have a beautiful home in a safe neighborhood.

* Food:

My host mother was an excellent cook. The food at local restuarants was also delicious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

During our third week, some of us went to a reggae concert that was absolutely incredible. Everything about the night life and social life was awesome.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Try to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. You already stand out enough...

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? I spent about $150-$200 each week. I spent a lot of time downtown in the evenings, so I spent more money than those that stayed home at night.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Give youself a specific amount that you can spend each week, and be sure that you have a little set aside for unexpected events.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Span 253W
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

When I was with my friends from Penn State in the evenings, we spoke a lot of English because it was easier for us to communicate with one another. Looking back, I wish we would have spoken more Spanish to each other. Even if we had made mistakes with our grammer, it still would have been good practice.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you have the opportunity to study abroad, do it. It's a life changing experience.