Amazing city, amazing country, amazing culture, average university Past Review
By A student (Fordham University) - abroad from 01/03/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
Universidad Iberoamericana / IBERO: Mexico City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I really improved my Spanish; I learned a ton about a country that is really important to the US that I had never really studied before; and I had tons of amazing, unforgettable experiences with great people.
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. |
It was annoying that people who put in basically no effort ended up getting the same marks as I did. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was really strange that the people working in the exchange office weren't even Mexican (with the exception of the housing coordinator). |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I got lucky because I was put with an amazing host family who supported me and helped me the entire time I was there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living in a wealthier area isolates you somewhat from the realities of life for a majority of Mexicans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The neighborhood I lived in in Mexico City was much safer than where I live in the Bronx. |
| 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) |
Mexico can be incredibly affordable for a student once you learn your way around markets and restaurants. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat a lot of tacos. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3000 level Spanish courses at Fordham |
| 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? | Make friends who are native speakers. Even if you and your English speaking friends tell each other you're going to practice the other language, you won't. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | Academic aspect was the least important part of this program. |
