A Year in Spain; the most amazing time of my life, and the best decision I made. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The education system between Spain and that of the U.S. is distinct. The main difference is in the U.S., students have multiple chances and opportunities to enhance their over-all grade throughout a semester. On the other hand, in Spain the education system generally evaluates student progress with one test at the end of the year, or perhaps two tests--a mid-term and a final. Also, the majority of the universities are public; in Spain, this means residents are not burdened with paying the overly-high price of college education that many Americans struggle with. However, becuase of this there is less importance placed on an attendance policy. Where in the U.S., lack of attendance can significantly affect a grade, in Spain the attitude seems to embody the belief that the class can always be repeated the following year and the concern of having to ultimately pay more money to retake a class is absent. Finally, the timing of the school year and breaks is a third major difference. Where as in the U.S. students work mostly non-stop from August to May, in Spain there is much more vacation time throughout the school year, but to compensate, the "school year" is much longer and students can be preparing for tests up until early or mid summer.

On-site administration of your program

The program was great with catering to my needs. The steps that needed to be taken in order to embark on this journey were clearly outlined in a packet before the trip even begun. Once in Spain, I felt constant support. One program advisor in particular was great with her ability to lend an ear, empathize with students and provide help with meeting both personal and academic needs. I ended up extending my stay for another semester. However, in order to do that I needed to take classes to fulfill my major requirements at my home institution. Some of these classes were only available in the regualar university program. Without the help of the advisors, this extended stay would not have been possible. They helped me overcome any challenges and carried out the communication and coordination necessary to help me get into the classes I needed to take the following semester.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mother was great. She was very open-minded and I felt the program did a great job placing me in the right home. I got along very well with my roomate which makes all the difference, especially when you are so far away from home. Also, I lived with two other girls at this homestay who were international students and we have all managed to build lasting relationships. This was a plus for me. Although the location wasn't terribly far from the center, I also did not feel at ease walking back alone at crazy hours of the morning. However on the plus side, I felt like my location was very local and we were located right by the well known street "Van Dyck," where one could find the best tapas in the city.

I was satisfied with the food. All the girls we lived with were not picky eaters, therefore I did not see how well my host-mother would have catered to any dietary or special needs. However, I can safely assume she would meet any needs without major issue. For future students studying in Salamanca, don't get sucked into the tapas bars right by the Plaza Mayor. They are fine, but some of my friends were too lazy to walk over to where I lived. Unfortunately for them, they were missing out on some of the best tapas. In Salamanca, the best can be found on la calle "Van Dyck." They are well worth the walk if you live on the other side of the Plaza!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The ADEIS events are worth participating in. There are a variety of organizzed trips which include any student in the city that wishes to join. Hence, providing the opportunity to explore beyond your study abroad group and make new friends from different parts of the world. One of my most memorable experiences was my trip to Las Fallas in Valencia. This was organized by ADEIS. However AIFS had a number of organized trips and orientation tours throughout the city when students first arrived. It was helpful in allowing us to establish our bearings. There were also optional cultural events students could engage in throughout the semester such a cooking class or a tour of the old historic Cathedral. Finally, there were a number of flyers in the office with suggestions on how to spend your free time abroad and programs offered by the city to look into.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Of all the cities I have visited in Spain, I would say I felt the safest in Salamanca. Although the city is small enough to cover on foot, its student body is diverse and even throughout the first semester, I still hadn't discovered everything there was to do and see. I don't want to speak too fast, but from what I knew, no one ever faced issues you may face in a bigger city such as pick-pocketing or typical scams locals may try to pull on the foreigners.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was able to practice the language with the locals through an "intercambio program," with the study abroad advisors and teachers if I wished, and of course with my home-stay mom.

Select all that apply

• Apartment
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• International Students

• The support provided in every aspect.

• Perhaps the means of exploring new cities--lengthy guided tours aren't for everyone!