My Spanish Spring Past Review
By Rebecca Hersh (Berea College) - abroad from 01/25/2016 to 05/20/2016 with
AIFS: Granada - University of Granada and Internship Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A lot of intangible "soft skills," professional and social skills, language skills, cultural awareness, flexibility...the list goes on.
Review Photos
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: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Some aspects probably apply to other programs, but I loved my in-country advisors SO MUCH. They were incredible, and so was my host family. |
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? | 10€ not including travel weekends |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do yourself a favor and put aside a sizable budget for travel, and plan it out, especially if you are going somewhere in Europe where you can see so much so reasonably if you plan it beforehand. |
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 Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make native speaker friends, talk to your host family, talk to your roommate or American friends in the language |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | Force yourself to do uncomfortable things to embrace the culture, language, etc. because you'll regret it later if you're easy on yourself and don't push outside your comfort zone. |
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! |
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