Well-rounded program, GREAT experience. Oaxaca - Sustainable Development and Social Change Past Review
By Katie D (Chemistry., Carleton College) for
SIT Study Abroad: Reviews from Former Locations
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall the classes seemed not as challenging to me as at my home university, although the classes seemed plenty challenging enough in the context of being in a foreign country. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was overall very well planned-out and organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and had a great experience; they also live right in the city and I had easy access to everything. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had a great homestay experience and did a lot with my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe in Oaxaca, in big part because I followed all the safety precautions such as not walking around alone at night. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | When I was living with my host family, I spent almost no money on food. I did spend money on taxi rides (~$4) and bus fare a couple times a week, though. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | . |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200-level (300-level is the highest at my college) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice Spanish with anyone in the city; I spoke Spanish with my host family and in my classes. Most people I encountered don't speak English, although everyone in my program group spoke English most of the time when we were all together. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think this program is great for anyone who is interested in field-based learning, working with NGO leaders and activists, and living with a homestay family. |
