Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Culture Experience Past Review

By (New Trier High School) - abroad from 06/16/2018 to 06/30/2018 with

Mexico Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about what it’s like to live in another country and how other people live their life in another language. I learned the way people actually speak Spanish and it was so amazing.

Review Photos

Study Abroad Programs in Mexico Photo Study Abroad Programs in Mexico Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class was very very interesting and I learned a lot but we spent a lot of time just sitting in our seats listening and it would’ve been nice to learn in different ways sometimes

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very nice and very knowledgeable people

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very nice food, bed, bedroom, and people

* Food:

I loved mostly all the food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would’ve liked to speak more Spanish but I did meet a lot of people and got to know so many more things about Mexico. If I had gone with my family I wouldn’t have had the same experience, I learned so much more about the culture than I would’ve otherwise.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt really unsafe to the point where I was scared. I felt really safe most of the time but you can’t be too trusting and you should still always look out for yourself.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Awesome cultural immersion and classes and encouragement to learn

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don’t worry about buying a ton of souvenirs because that wastes a lot of money

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

There was a lot of spanish involved which I am happy about but I would’ve liked to speak more Spanish with my host family and director

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 4
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Ask questions to native speakers and write down their answers it really helps

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Cultural Excursions
  • Free time
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Amount of spanish spoken
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Your Spanish won’t get 1000000x better because two weeks isn’t enough but it will improve if you try hard enough

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.