Immersion in Salvadoran life Past Review
By John B (Fordham University) - abroad from 01/18/2012 to 05/16/2012 with
Universidad Centroamericana, José Simeón Cañas: El Salvador - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned what it important in life, love and family, and how to live in community. and lots of other things. i am still unpacking the experience so it is hard to say more now.
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. |
The Casa program provides an outstanding academic opportunity. Professors are the top officials in their fields and have extensive knowledge of all material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the casa staff is well organized and professional as well as passionate and dedicated to their work |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
not only is the housing great we also have the opportunity to live in community with wonderful Salvadoran scholarship students. |
| * Food: |
nothing better that home cooked Salvadoran food prepared with love by our wonderful cooks |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
perfect |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
the casa has great health resources and relies on them regularly with no issues to be reported |
| * Safety: |
while everyone knows that El Salvador can be a dangerous country, I never felt at all in danger during all 4 months. the program could not be more secure |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
simple living and low cost of living in El Salvador leads to very low costs while abroad |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | nop |
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 |
two days a week i was in a Salvadoran community with no support. learning to communicate in Spanish is part of the program no matter what your level is. it can be a struggle but is very rewarding. |
| 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? | Exit level Spanish 2001 |
| 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? | dont be afraid to be wrong. just speak and learn as you go |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | While i learned a lot i don't know if i would have liked to know anything more before leaving for ES |
