Salamanca, Spain was SPECTACULAR! Past Review
By Lindsey C (Liberal Arts, ) for
AIFS: Salamanca - University of Salamanca
I loved studying abroad. I learned so much about myself and about how I can do anything I put my mind to. I love the fact that I got to experience Europe and see what every culture values. It was an amazing experience. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teaching methods were perfect for study abroad. We got to experience learning from a whole different perspective because we were able to take trips and see things first hand. Our professors were understanding in the fact that we were in Europe and wanted to travel and experience the world around us. They were kind enough to give us internet assignments when we missed classes because we were traveling. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty leading our group was wonderful. They were always accessable and we grew rather close to them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At first we were placed with this host family that was not very pleasant. They smoked a great deal and the house was rather messy. We chose to speak with our advisors and they found us another host where we were welcomed with open arms and our host family was wonderful. The house was always clean and they did our laundry every week. It was a great experience. We grew rather fond of our adopted grandparents. |
| * Food: |
Food was wonderful! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Salamanca is a University Town. There were so many different people around and this provided us with many cultures being around us. We became friends with a girl from Switzerland and actually went and visited with her and her family over Spring Break. It was a great experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was definatly safe. They warned us before hand where we needed to watch our personal belongings and aided us when we were planning travels so we could stay in safe places. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Spain is a spanish speaking coutnry. Pretty much no one spoke english. I was able to pick up enough where I could understand what was being said but I did not pick up very much in relation to actually speaking it. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You need to study abroad! you will make friends that you will keep forever and you will travel and enjoy every aspect that the world has to offer you!! |
