Life changing and opened my horizen to new ideas Past Review

By (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 05/19/2012 to 05/25/2012 with

Texas Lutheran University (TLU): Traveling - Natural Science Mission Trip

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile and I learned a lot about myself and about how off American ideas are of other people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

A great program just not very rigorous.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very nice people and were very helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotel was very nice, clean and felt safe.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt it was even better because we were able to hang out with the local youths.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The group was very conscious of anything that was going on with the members.

* Safety:

We always traveled in a group and so everybody was aware of their surroundings.

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

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)

* 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? No more than a $60

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

Had to use a little of the language all the time to communicate.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Practice vocab!!!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Being able to fully experience a new culture with the locals
* What could be improved?
  • Learning more spanish before going and having more time in country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That even just knowing vocab words in Spanish would have been enough to convey a point.