Home Away from Home in Salamanca! Past Review

By A student (Spanish, Saint John Fisher College) - abroad from 01/22/2016 to 05/13/2016 with

AIFS: Salamanca - University of Salamanca

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that everyone is living a different life. You cannot assume you know a person just by looking at them. I also learned that it's okay to miss out, although I missed my friends at home and wished I was doing the things they were, study abroad gave me the ability to step back and say "hey, yeah that's cool, but I'm in Spain living my dream." It also taught me that it is okay to be alone. Sometimes you just need those moments by yourself and that's completely acceptable.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I definitely felt like I was challenged in my classes, especially those that were offered only through AIFS. But at the same time I also enjoyed my classes and professors were always willing to help even if they spoke little english.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Our on-site administration were amazing. They were available to answer questions or just to chat whenever, although I wish the office was open at least one day for a little on the weekends. But besides that they were great!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My roommate and I loved our host family. They really welcomed us into their home as one of their own which was really touching. We were surrounded by a lot of different age groups because our host-parents daughter always came over with her children and their son lived at home. We were always learning from them and they were always willing to answer our questions. The cooking was amazing and we were located close to everything.
* Food:	Spanish food is amazing, but they do enjoy fish a lot and other seafood as well. I love seafood but fish is not one of my favorite dishes and this was a hard thing to avoid.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Living with a host family I think helped with this but it really takes effort on the student's part to become integrated especially in a country where the language is foreign. Making local friends through intercambios was really fun and it helps improve your language too. Also going to cafes and frequent one that I really liked was helpful, the staff and other daily customers began to recognize my friend and I. This helped us branch out. And it was a lot of fun.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	N/A
* Safety:	Salamanca is such a safe city and I rarely felt unsafe. During the day you have nothing to worry about. Walking down the streets is no problem, it becomes at night when people are going to bars that you need to be more cautious, but besides catcalling and recognizing that my friends and I were American's we didn't experience any big issues that you wouldn't experience in any big city.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes Salamanca was everything and more than I could have ever imagined. The people of Salamanca are so kind and friendly, the city is absolutely beautiful and I learned so much. It is the best Spanish city to visit if you are looking to improve your language skills!

Finances

* 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)	I have the tendency to splurge more often than not, but I felt like I budgeted relatively well. Spain is a pretty cheap country to live in, especially Salamanca, so I didn't feel too pressured for money.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Less than 100 euros each week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Definitely work as much as possible before going abroad, because you will not be able to work legally with a student visa once you get to your country. Give yourself room to splurge on things that you want, because you most likely won't have this chance again, but also don't go overboard and this is very easy to do. Going out every night of the weekend can also get expensive, reserve going out for once and awhile, unless you're willing to give up those extra euros you could have spent on a trip.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	We were encouraged not to use english, but this came more as a challenge. But living with a host family definitely encouraged me to use the language as well as having professors who only spoke spanish.
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Advanced
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?	LSPN 302
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?	Talking! Use it everywhere you can, whether it be with a family, an intercambio, the bartender, the people next to you in the cafe just talk! Not only will it help you but the natives will appreciate your effort even if you use the wrong tense.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
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?	My Host Family The city the people
* What could be improved?	courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That everyone smokes everywhere, be prepared to either hold your breath often or inhale smoke often.

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 Linguist You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Translation
Course Department:
Instructor:	Manolo
Instruction Language:	Mainly Spanish
Comments:	I was definitely challenged in this class, but I enjoyed it. Manolo really knew how to keep our attention and he personalized the class so that we would get the best out of it.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	Phonetics
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carlos Cabrera
Instruction Language:	Mainly Spanish
Comments:	This was one of my favorite classes. It really helped me improve my spanish and I enjoyed the challenge it offered.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	Advanced Grammar
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This was a lot similar to my translation class, which I enjoyed more. I felt like this class went way too fast and I also felt like the language test that placed some of the students in this level was wrong. I wish we could have just slowed down a bit and really focused on the grammar.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A

Course Name/Rating:	History of Women in Spain
Course Department:
Instructor:	Ana Vasquez
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	I think this class has a lot of potential. I really liked the professor a lot and she really wants the class to be interested but it fell a little short.
Credit Transfer Issues:	N/A