I never knew I would miss being in Nicaragua so much. Past Review
By A student (Spanish Secondary Education, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 06/15/2012 to 07/14/2012 with
SUNY Geneseo: El Sauce - Service Learning in Nicaragua
I learned all about a people and country that is more or less ignored by the United States and I learned a lot about myself in the process. It was absolutely worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although it wasn't exactly an academic trip, I still feel I learned a lot of useful skills that will be able to help me once I return to school in the Fall. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director of our site and his assistants were incredible and ran the program in a way that encouraged self growth and realizations about the abroad experience in relation to our own lives as college students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay experience was one of a kind and the family I was placed with were extremely accommodating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Between the homestay and working with the local community, it would be impossible not to feel completely immersed in the Nicaraguan culture and lifestyle. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Illnesses were taken care of immediately and efficiently. |
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| 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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| * 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? | $100 |
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 |
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| 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 302 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 that although it's a developing country, it's still a place with cars, electricity, running water, proper toilets, and other modern day commodities along side the ox carts and chickens - you don't have to be afraid to bring certain things like your laptop. |
