Only at the Green Program Past Review

By (Agricultural Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln) - abroad from 06/01/2015 to 06/09/2015 with

The GREEN Program: Peru - Water Resource Management & Sustainable Practices

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I made incredible friends while experiencing a fascinating culture set in a gorgeous natural landscape. I learned about the environmental challenges that country faces and about how they are choosing to deal with the concerns. I networked with industry leaders and professors, gaining valuable resources for the future. "Worthwhile" does not begin to describe the program.

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.

GREEN provided excellent information about Peru's specific environmental challenges, but I felt I learned little that I could immediately apply elsewhere. Because GREEN attracts students of all backgrounds, they provide a broad but shallow overview of environmental concerns. As someone studying water resource management in school, it simply wasn't technical enough to meet my needs. Students involved in other backgrounds, however, seemed to gain quite a bit from the experience. This is due in large part to the excellent resources GREEN provides; we met with extremely knowledgeable industry leaders and professors, all of whom were happy to share with students a little of what they know.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Peru has an extremely interesting culture. Much of the traditional Andean culture has been preserved, but Spanish influences and the effects of modern globalization show themselves throughout the nation. All of this combines to create a unique and fascinating way of life that cannot be found elsewhere on the globe.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had some difficulties getting my health care forms filled out and turned in to GREEN. That said, now that GREEN and UNL have a partnership, the task should be easier. While abroad, despite actively working to sanitize our water, a couple of students did become ill; GREEN was, however, quite prepared for this and responded well, taking care of the students as if they were family.

* Safety:

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)

The GREEN Program is quite expensive, but the program costs cover nearly every expense a student would face while abroad (food, housing, etc.). The only two expenses not covered by the program costs are airfare and souvenirs.

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

The program ensured that translators were with the students nearly all of the time, so use of Spanish was not necessary. That said, I did have an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency when I traveled (I could carry on a slow, stuttering conversation), and many seemed thrilled to help me practice my Spanish. The skill also helped me to navigate and communicate better than the other travelers.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 303 - Advanced Reading

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?
  • Tight friendships formed easily
  • Cultural immersion in heavenly landscape
  • Emotional connection formed with Peru's environmental problems
* What could be improved?
  • Needs a more technical academic focus
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There's nothing I know now that would have helped me beforehand. GREEN conceals each day's schedule until late the night before to force students to live in the moment, and that honestly improved the experience for me. If I had known much more before the start of the program, I think that would have detracted from the experience.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.