Looking for an Experience Abroad? Pick AIFs. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I think my overall educational experience wasn't clouded with intense coursework, but it did educate me on topics I was not aware of in the past. Through the International School at the University of Salamanca, student take classes with other international students in which they learn about Spanish history, art, literature, etc. (in Spanish), as well as take Spanish language and grammar, level is based on prior knowledge of the language. Students who are native Spanish speakers or have a good knowledge of it will be asked if they are interested in taking course with the actual university and other Spanish students.

On-site administration of your program

The onsite staff was fantastic! Gaye and Julia were amazing onsite directors that provided me with all the support I needed. I was very sick for the first two weeks of the program and they made sure I visited the doctor (AIFs tuition includes health insurance!) and provided me with the medicine I needed. They were very helpful when I felt homesick and also very helpful when I didn't want to leave. My onsite directors make up a very big, important piece of my experience abroad.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was extremely satisfied with my living arrangements. I was placed in a home stay with a home mom. From the moment we met, I was received with open arms and a table full of Spanish food. My host mom introduced me and made me feel as if I was a part of the Spanish culture every day.

The food is delicious. The only reason I give it a three is because a lot of the diet consists of pork or seafood, two things I am not a fan of.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt as I was warmly accepted to the local culture. Salamanca is a small town with a demographic of college students and elderly, It was very interesting to live within such a community with that much of an age gap but it helped me understand how two different generations of Spanish citizens see their country and understand their culture. I went out for tapas with 24 year-olds and played checkers with 60 year-olds, in every possible way I felt as if I was accepted and welcomed by those around me.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health issues were addressed INCREDIBLY. I get sick very often which was something I feared about before going but soon realized that the onsite staff and the health insurance AIFs provided would come into good use while I was there. My onsite directors accompanied me to doctors appointments and checked up on me through messages or phone call when I got sick. I was constantly being looked after by AIFs.

I have never felt safer. As someone who has grown up in a large US city, Chicago, walking on my own was never really deemed as a good option. In Salamanca I could do just that. Spain in general has a very low crime rate. In Salamanca I never felt threatened or felt as if I had to keep looking over my shoulder to see if I was being followed. Safety was not even close to being my biggest concern while studying and living there.

From the moment I began my application, AIFs provided me with all the help and support I needed. Whether that was answering my 20 emails of questions every day or walking through the visa application process with me, AIFs never made me feel like I was alone.

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

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

In Salamanca no one speaks English. I took Spanish classes, ordered food in Spanish, read directions in Spanish, etc.

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