Seriously wonderful Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Unlike most study abroad programs that I was looking into, this program values academics and learning in a way that seemed central to my experience. The whole basis of experiential learning and the high caliber of intelligence of students in the abroad program completely made my experience what it was - and was not merely an addition to other aspects of the program. That being said, I am not someone who is a fan of academia overall, and what we learned in the program felt 100% valuable and radical in that we learned from revolutionaries.

On-site administration of your program

The director and assistant director and host families are all absolutely amazing. Well-informed, radical, friendly, and open-hearted.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I would argue that studying abroad is not the time to diet or be a stickler about your eating habits (that is, of course, excluding legitimate allergies or hatred of certain foods). Meat is central to a lot of meals, and frying foods is very common. That being said, there are definitely vegetarian options and Managua is a big city meaning you can cater to your needs at your leisure/ability. I ate A LOT because the food was so tasty!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Studying abroad has it's limits - you will never be a native to that country, but I think this program does a great job doing it's best balancing what is considered and "authentic" experience with also meeting our "needs" (or what we've been socialized to need) as US students from a variety of home environments. Living with a host family was wonderful and an irreplaceable experience.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Honestly, I miraculously never got super sick! WOohooo! certainly other people did, and medical assistance was there and helpful.

Managua is a big city like other big cities - be wary of your surroundings. Especially as a woman - and especially as an obvious foreigner.

Studying abroad was an amazing experience, and, yes, life changing - but I believe everything you do in life is "life changing." Both the challenging times and fun times made it the experience it was. Living in another country is inevitably going to make a big difference in one's life, and I feel grateful to have the opportunity to have been able to do that in Nicaragua.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Almost all of your food is paid beforehand under the cost of the program so you should be all set. Things will seem cheap relative to our US standards.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Although the classes are in Spanish and your host family will not speak any English, it is ultimately up to YOU if you want to improve your Spanish because other people in the program will most-likely speak English as a first language.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• the people i met! (I know it's sort of a duhhhh thing, but if I didn't say it was the most important thing, I'd be lying)
• Learning from revolutionaries!!!
• (not directly from the program) learning about myself in a new context

• Sometimes the lectures were at really hot times of the day and we were super sleep = disrespectful :(
• Sometimes the lecturers weren't adequately introduced and I don't think we gave them their proper respect
• Enforcing us to ONLY speak Spanish (always room for improvement)