Chevere. Past Review
By Daniel S (Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester) - abroad from 10/01/2015 to 03/18/2016 with
The Intern Group: Colombia, Emerging Markets Internship Placement Program
A new language, a different view on Colombia, experience working in a different culture, a chance to travel. Very 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. |
The program is not academic but a chance to apply the theoretical skills you have learnt at university. Due to this, I rate the course highly as it has allowed me to apply the knowledge I have learnt but also learn new skills including Spanish, working within a different culture and specific technical skills to my placement. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Intern Group: Latin America team is very organised and helpful. The application process was very smooth and the team also helps with settling in to the region, providing activities to do during your stay and any problems that you may have during your stay. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Program provides accommodation in the El Poblado sector of Medellin, the richest and safest neighbourhood. The accommodation is ideally placed close to supermarkets, malls and the placement itself. |
| * Food: |
Food is not provided on the program but based on the quality and range of Colombian food, I give it 5 stars. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program provides many activities to visit local cultural and beauty sites. The best way to integrate yourself is through the placement and the local people you meet while you are there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was playing football when I damaged the ligaments in my knee. The following day I could not walk and so informed the program. Free on-site doctors were sent around and I was sent to the hospital for X-rays and an MRI scan of my knee. This was all completed on the same day and I had the results within 3 days from a consultant. The care was extremely professional and quick. It was also completely covered by the Intern Group insurance and so I had did not have to pay anything (I was given a reimbursement of the payments at a later date)! Very pleased with the care! |
| * Safety: |
No problems. Just be smart and as careful as you would in any other city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
An extremely worthwhile experience that I would do a thousand times again. |
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) |
5. Colombia is not an expensive place. Transport, food and other weekly costs are very low. The highest cost will be for activities that you would like to take part in during your time and the accomodation. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In terms of food, the bigger supermarkets definitely charge more for the same food item. Try and find some local shops, these will charge much less. |
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 |
It is a spanish-speaking country, however the people at your placement will speak english. To get the most out of the city and its people, you should have a go! Good for nights out to meet people too! |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Nothing |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Learn from your mistakes! Practise as much as possible. Everyone does it differently. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | The best experiences you find by yourself. They won't be served on a plate to you. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
