Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nicaragua: an honest country! Past Review

By (BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES., 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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worth while! I realized how little I know about the world and how much emphasis the United States puts on "being the best." In the U.S., we tend to think we have it all together, but really we don't. I realized that I am equal to all citizens of the world and to really get to know others, it is important to understand the language and culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There was a large variety of activities to participate in during the trip: service; learning about politics, economics, and business; time in a variety of locations, and excursions. Everything was well balanced!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was extremely welcoming and ready to share about Nicaragua. The host individuals were willing to get to know us and we all had a great time!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I enjoyed each living arrangement! All three varied which helped me to understand the various living conditions in Nicaragua.

* Food:

Great food! I would have liked to try more traditional foods, however.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated, especially knowing Spanish. I would suggest that anyone who goes on this trip to take a Spanish lesson in order to know the basics. Knowing the language helped me to better immerse myself into the culture and develop relationships abroad.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not experience any health issues, but I do know several people did. I felt like taking care of our health was a personal responsibility, but would have liked more education and encouragement on how to stay healthy abroad in Nicaragua. It would have also been helpful to hear about the types of things could happen in regards to health and how to prevent them.

* Safety:

I always felt safe! It was nice getting an overview of the places we were in and reminders to stay together when we explored the cities and countryside.

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)

Well! There was minimal costs, especially if you decided not to purchase souvenir items.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I mostly spent money on gift items; so roughly $200 for the whole trip.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to plan out what you want to buy ahead of time. Always keep track of how much money you have left, and be sure to store money in different, safe places. Only take what you will need and a little extra when you leave the host home.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Getting to meet people from Nicaragua and speak Spanish.
  • Climbing the Volcano!
  • Interacting with kids and families!
* What could be improved?
  • More of a pre-Spanish component
  • More communication throughout the trip about plans and whereabouts
  • More traditional food provided
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The U.S., Central America, and South America are all America. Why do we call ourselves Americans? This is an important realization because it reminds us we are just as equal as everyone else in the world.

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 Linguist
You 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!