A Life Changing Study Abroad Experience. Tons to Offer! Past Review
By Candace T (Dance., Connecticut College) - abroad from 02/01/2013 to 05/15/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: Nicaragua - Youth Culture, Literacy and Media
This program had a great impact on me personally. It broadened my perspective of the world and expanded upon my base of knowledge of the world's history. It also influenced my future endeavors greatly and has contributed great to my undergraduate sucesses
Review Photos
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. |
This was one of my most challenging semesters in undergrad. You do get out of your experience what you put into it though. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Oh my goodness! This is such a strong administratively developed and supported programs! They have left nothing out in terms of planning. And they are highly committed to giving students the most positive experience possible! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my home stay family. They gave me great insight into Nicaraguan culture and helped me learn about the Nicaragua people on an intimate level. It also contributed to the exponential increase of my Spanish speaking capabilities. I also loved the ability to stay at different homestays and 'home-y' hotels during our excursions. |
| * Food: |
Yum! I love Nicaraguan food but I will say it is very heavy and rich which is not for everyone. They also have a very meat heavy diet traditionally. The home stay families however are great at adapting to the eating habits of there students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
After a while, I felt like I'd been living in Nicaragua all my life. You get so accustomed to the neighborhood, community, city, and country overall that you feel immersed and a part of the society. I loved walking through the neighborhood where our main homestays were located and having neighboors ask how my day way and how I was doing. I also learned how to navigate a good portion of my country while being mindful of safety and my surrounding. The program does a great job of keeping students informed and safe yet giving freedom to explore and integrate themselves into the society. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There are most certainly safety risks in Nicaragua however it is the safest country in central america. The program also heavily highlights safety procedures for navigating oneself and his or her travels throughout the country. I would say that as an American attention is automatically drawn to you. It's important to keep that in mind at all time and avoid doing wearing or saying certain things that would further highlight your difference. i.e. Don't wear flashy jewelry or clothing. Don't have fancy electronics outside of your house etc. Also, don't go any where alone. Always travel with at least one travel buddy and you'll be good! |
| 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) |
The cost of everything in Nicaragua is extremely cheap. If finances, are a signigicant factor in where you study abroad Nicaragua is a great place to go. The greatest finance is getting there and once you are there everything is extremely affordable! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Lowest $15 highest $100 depending on if I was doing independent travel or not |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find Nicaraguan people to make home made meals for you rather than eating out at restaurants. Nicaraguans are really warm people and they love to invite people into their homes and lives, especially through food. By befriending a Nicaraguan and paying them to make you food, you will not only save money but you will be extremely well feed and make a life love friend :) |
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 |
We were required to speak Spanish fairly often. In our home stays, on excursions, and even with fellow students at the student center. It was a great way to intensify the practice that we were doing the classroom and make it more of a part of our every day life experiences. |
| 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? | 300 Undergraduate level course |
| 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? | Put yourself into predicaments when you have no choice but to speak Spanish. Practicing Spanish in conversation is the only way to truly learn the language! |
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 how little they teach us about US involvement in other countries, especially Central American countries. Our relations to other countries are important and had I know about that in advance I would have been more cognizant of it throughout my interactions with various Nicaraguan people. I would have shared more about American culture and shared the realities about our country that many Nicaraguans are not aware of as well as absorb more about the realities Nicaraguan face that we Americans don't know of |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
