A Trip With Potential Past Review
By A student (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 12/27/2014 to 01/09/2015 with
University of Northern Iowa: Managua - UNI Winter Capstone Socio-Economic Reality of Nicaragua
I learned many lessons in professional and respect, primarily through negative examples. I learned about some of the cultural similarities and differences between the U.S. and Central America. However, I don't feel that my time was necessarily worthwhile, I could have learned some much more had the trip been run differently.
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. |
I do not feel the opportunities provided me adequate learning experiences. I learned some about the culture through observation, but I felt there were many missed learning opportunities for both myself and my peers. This trip seemed to focus more on fun activities and surface level experiences rather deep, reflective learning opportunities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our professor did not give the partner organization to administration their program, so it is difficult to judge |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Overall, I was very satisfied. The majority of the accommodations for were clean and similar to those that might be found in the U.S. We did spend a few nights at a more primitive location, where my only concern was some critters who had access to our bedrooms. However, this was more authentic experience, and if we had been prepared for the conditions beforehand it would have been fine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Prior to the trip we were given malaria medication, as well as typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations. |
| * Safety: |
I felt relatively safe, but I have experience with safety precautions abroad. There was little orientation to staying safe abroad for new travelers. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For the most part everything was included in the program cost. I spent money on a few extra activities and souvenirs. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I had known about the reputation of the professor, the activities we would be doing, our accommodations, and the lack of academic focus and learning opportunities. |
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! |
