Beautiful Past Review
By A student (Behavioral Neuroscience, Western Washington University) - abroad from 07/01/2012 to 08/10/2012 with
ECELA: Cusco - Spanish Language School in Peru
My Spanish was greatly improved, I learned a ton about alternative medicine and the healthcare system in other countries. It was such a different experience to live in another country not just be a tourist traveling. It was fun and challenging and I had a lot of personal growth.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
Have to be very vigilant and careful about what you eat. There are a lot of cheap options available that will make travelers sick. But the food is great! |
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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? |
There was a lot of health issues with people in my program including myself. The program was very supportive however and regularly checked up on those who were sick. The program had a connection with the local "tourist" clinic so that's where I went when I was hospitalized. The healthcare was ok..it was the best I had seen my entire experience in the country, but compared to the US it was poor. I had to receive follow up care upon returning to the US. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, especially in comparison to other cities I have visited. No one in my program had safety issues, and as long as you are smart and take taxis at night for example you will be fine. |
| 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) |
Very cheap to live. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Basic living is pretty cheap, but if you want to travel on free time or buy souvenirs that is where most of your money will go. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 300 level college |
| 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? | Definitely live with a host family, you will get way more language practice. Also talk to locals as much as possible for example taxi drivers, waiters etc.. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Bring more emergency money, and definitely have travel insurance. I had to pay a large sum of money for being hospitalized, losing my passport, and changing a plane ticket. You never know what will happen! |
