Augsburg University's Center for Global Education and Experience Reviews

Currently I now live in Norway and am pursuing my Masters in Computer Science. During my exchange semester, I met so many people and the classes I took really inspired me. Genuinely, I think the experience was somewhat live changing. The professors I met were also incredible. Even though I am a computer science major, I feel this experience would be good for any major. I still keep in contact with the friends I met, and the professors that inspired me to pursue my masters degree. I loved each and every one of the classes as well.

Mexico is a beautiful country. This was my first time traveling to Mexico, as a Mexican American, first generation college student. It was nerve-racking to jump on the plane to study abroad to an unknown place. However, once I landed, I quickly called this place home. We, the students, staff, and citizens, supported each other throughout this four month journey, and it changed me not academically, but personally. Being exposed to a myriad of cultures, food, and events opened my eyes to meet people where they are at, understand their upbringings, and build relationships.

The program that I signed up for completely, changed my life and encouraged me to change the world with the amount of people I meant both my peers and the staff they all provided me with so much knowledge, care, and encouragement that I will forever hold, dear to me the amount of speakers that I got to meet and hear their stories of their struggles and their achievements they experience when dealing with social systems that continue to oppress the Latino community my Host family that provided me with so much warmth and knowledge of basic tradition. The locals that provided so much of a natural experience at no point do I regret taking a a huge leap to living in a foreign country for four months and if I could, I would do it all over again

If you are concerned with the state of the world and lack of care that it seems like Americans have for each other, learning about alternative systems is inspiring. This program showed me what life is like when you have a consensus amongst a country that we should take care of each other. Bonus points if you love hiking, the island that it is located on has beautiful trails. Don’t be afraid of the weather, they’ll teach you how to layer. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to understand what a better future could look like.

I had a great time studying abroad in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Having homestays helped me build confidence and get to know people. Especially in Guatemala, we traveled to lots of different areas, which was really special and helped us learn about where we were. The food was also delicious and very affordable.
During my session we took four classes. One was a language class, one-on-one with a language teacher. Next we took a history of guatemala class. We also took a class on the political context of costa rica and nicaragua, and a class on liberation theologies.

This study abroad is a unique experience compared to other semester abroad experiences. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, (which i encourage you to!) this program is a great option. The staff was great, the classes were great too (I especially loved the poli sci class!) this study abroad had you constantly moving, and I because of that I feel like I lived 30 lifetimes in 4 months. It never got boring and you are always learning. This study abroad would be a good fit for you if you’re looking for a unique experience a bit off the beaten path for undergrad study abroad, if you’re willing to have an open mind and challenge your ways of thinking, and if you want to explore many places. This study abroad is especially catered to people studying things like sociology/anthropology, religion, political science, international relations, journalism, Latin American politics, gender studies, race/ethnicity studies, psychology, and related fields.

I was terrified before I left for this program because I had never done something so ambitious as studying abroad by myself before. I didn't speak the language and had no idea what life would be like in Cuernavaca, but the support and care from my peers, the staff, and community members made it way less intimidating and easier to adjust than I thought it would be. It was still difficult at times, especially with navigating the city, but there were always people willing to help with anything I was unsure about. This experience was incredibly valuable for me, both for my academic education as well as my own personal views of myself and the world. I learned more than I ever could have hoped and I feel more secure in myself and my place in the world because of it. The emphasis on being in and learning from community was a very important part of this program that I will carry with me through my own life. I also had tons of fun and met lots of really awesome people who have impacted my life in incredibly positive ways. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this program and hope that more students will take the leap and allow themselves to be cared for, inspired, and taught by everyone who works hard to make this such a special opportunity.

My semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico was an experience that pushed me far beyond simply studying in another country. Through my Social Work in a Latin American Perspective program, I learned in the classroom while also spending time in the community, engaging with people and organizations, practicing Spanish, and learning about social issues through a Latin American lens. I was expected to be open-minded, reflective, and willing to sit with the discomfort of not always understanding everything right away, and that became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. What made Cuernavaca so meaningful were the everyday moments: navigating a new city, communicating across language and cultural differences, listening to people's experiences, and learning from communities rather than assuming I already knew their stories. There were definitely moments when I felt uncomfortable or unsure, but those moments taught me courage. The people I met taught me compassion, and the relationships I built reminded me of the importance of connection. I came to Mexico wanting to learn about social work in a different context, but I left with a deeper understanding of myself and the kind of social worker I hope to become. Studying abroad reminded me that cultural humility means being willing to listen before speaking, to learn before judging, and to recognize that my way of seeing the world is not the only way. It was not always an easy experience, but it was an amazing one, and I know I will carry the lessons, relationships, and perspective I gained in Cuernavaca with me long after leaving Mexico.

I was honored to participate in this program when it was "Social Change in Central America" in 2016. My experience in the program dramatically improved by Spanish, deepened my understanding of Central American history, and gave me concrete lenses and tools through which I still analyze social movements. While I was on the trip I learned about the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), which became my movement home. I now live in Guatemala. I would highly recommend this program for young organizers who want to deepen their internationalist practice.

I had an incredible experience during my time in the CGE Cuernavaca program. The content from my classes addressed issues that are still relevant 7 years later (such as migration, gender politics, globalization, and pre-Columbian art and more). I had a very unique opportunity to intern with a local plastics printmaker who creates beautiful social justice pieces.

This work has inspired me and continued to carry on as inspiration personally as an artist, art historian, and for someone who works in the non-profit section in Minnesota working for Indigenous artists and community development. It was an incredible interactive learning environment to be able to study and then be able to visit sites and meet many individuals from different communities.