Puebla exchange program: the greatest experience abroad Past Review

By (SPIT, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) for

Universidad de las Americas - Puebla / UDLAP : Puebla - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
the study abroad experiences was worth it in all ways, i gain many qualities trough this program such as how to interact with another culture, how to immplement other skills into a new sourunding, undersatnding what it feels to be in another country and be able to accept it and my ability to acostum to it. now i would like to make an investment on a business in another country to benefit its economy.

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.

the wokload that there was had the same level in difficulty and quantity, the grading system was based on numbers rather than letter and percentages but it was easy to convert to the American Educational System. The educational system was the same.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

the program was accessible and supportive at the same time it was a great experience overall. the ability to get things done could be better as for action taken by faculty and administrators to make thigs move smooother. their knoledge was good as for the educational level. the program size is great cause it introduces to a new group which shares a common goal. my spectations of the programs were met.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

the housing was arrage trough the international office program and it was easy to obtain, i live with in the host familly and i had my own key to get into the house, the neighborhood was a safe. everything was in place i can say it wasnt a small room i had my own bathroom which is a great thing. the drive to the university was about 5 minutes form my location and there must be a prior wait for the public bus to take me to campus for about other 15 min which is not bad at all. night live near my house was not that cative but near the university there were clubs, bars, restaurants, pubs.

* Food:

my host familly would cook for me so we could arrage a menue which fit my diet. the quality of the food was great i never got sick. dining advice will be to eat in close restaurants, price may vary but for the most part it will be pretty cheap. or get the meal plan at the university cafeteria.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

there were the school parades, the cellebration of world wide things like womans day etc. As for atractions there is a piramid near the university is about a 20 minute walk. fieldtrips were available from the university to many different locations in the contry. this semester they cut on university fieldtrips.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

the city was safe. well safety advices for students could be dont carry that much money went going to a party, or to buy stuff in the mall or at the market use small bills to buy outside campus. if need medical assistance get in contact with the international office and they will chose the best option for you. i could get a medical check in campus and get a prescription to get the medicine needed. its was easy to access it just take time to get the service. the program actually gives that advice to go to campus first and then they will help you. its pretty much the samething here and in my host country. you could get the N1H1 vaccine before going to that country or get it there for free.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 400 level which is in the 4th level spanish which is the highest.
Language acquisition improvement?

it was possible for me to practice my language any where because i was surrounded by natie speaker at home, school, and in public places. the use of the host leanguage was used in everyday interaction it was needed in order to perform everyday task such as to get to school, buy items, communicate atc. the number of english speakers was high but not use in dailly basis, every one perfed to talk in host language.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

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  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? students that wants to see what really is to live in another country and get the cultural experience.