Past Review
By kyle f (Finance and Financial Management Services., Pennsylvania State University - Altoona) for
Penn State Altoona: Guanajuato - Escuela Mexicana
I selected NO to doing the program again but that is only because it makes more sense and would be cheaper for me to not do it through Penn State. Overall though, the program was an unforgettable experience and I have no regrets. I would suggested to PSU that they try to offer more scholarships and/or attempt to lower the cost. I know 2 friends personally that couldn't make the trip just because of the cost.
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
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Studying is a definite. Crunching a full semester course into 4 weeks can be very difficult on students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall it was good, but students should be given a little bit more freedom. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My family was incredible and I plan on possibly staying again with them in the future. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I have never enjoyed myself in a place more. And I plan on moving down there sometime in the future. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never did i feel unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Spend more time speaking Spanish, as apposed to speaking English all the time. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Its an AMAZING experience, Guanajuato is an unbelievable place that if you are able to visit and experience the culture, you wont want to leave |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish 399 |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Dr. Yaw |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Dr. Yaw is incredible. One of the best teachers I have had at Penn State and possibly one of the nicest human beings I have have met. Great class, great experience. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish 497 |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Dr. Costantino |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Dr. Costantino is a very tough teacher. Sometimes can get aggravated with the students easily which can cause some problems. Alot of time she is very vague about what she wants which can also cause some confusion. Her "her way or the highway" mentality can be somewhat unfair. But outside of class can be a nice individual. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
