A very educational experience in Honduras. Past Review
By Dumingu Nipuni G (Trinity University) - abroad from 05/18/2015 to 08/07/2015 with
Universidad Católica de Honduras: Tegucigalpa - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I saw a side of the Honduran youth I never got to see during my years in private school there. I learned a lot about the country, its politics and its culture that I had not experienced before. For that I am ever grateful.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The UNICAH San Pedro Sula, Honduras, program was pretty rigorous. However, I give it 4 stars because nothing compares to Trinity. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with my parents. |
| * Food: |
I lived with my parents. I give my mother's cooking 5 stars any day! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I grew up in Honduras. I was pretty integrated into the culture by this point. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I lived with my parents. |
| * Safety: |
San Pedro Sula is not a very safe city. I would not recommend a student study abroad in SPS unless they are Honduran or have close family and/or friends living there. |
| 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) |
I lived with my parents. |
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 |
Everything was taught in Spanish which, for me, is technically a foreign language, since I am Sri Lankan. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I have taken Spanish courses in high school, but never in college. |
| 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? | Talk to people and read a lot! |
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? | Locals can be hostile to foreigners. I had never experienced this kind of hostility due to my race and social standing because I attended a private school in San Pedro Sula my entire life. I wish I had been better emotionally prepared for the hostility some of my peers would show toward me. However, I think this was all part of the learning experience and believe I have grown as a person because of it. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
