Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Once in a Lifetime Experience Past Review

By (Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville) - abroad from 09/25/2019 to 12/12/2019 with

AIFS: Salamanca - University of Salamanca

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a sense of independence yet felt more connected to people than I ever have before. I learned about so many people, cultures, languages, and myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall my education experience was great because whatever I learned in class I could use outside of class in my everyday life, my only concern is that we did not get to immerse ourselves with Spanish students in classes. They kept American students in their own classes/building.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The locals seemed skeptical of American students but besides that the amount of culture and history I learned and experienced in the city felt great.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

As someone who had never been away from my family for long, studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain was a big change for me. It was nerve wracking at first however the AIFS directors, my host family, and the friends I met along the way helped make my experience abroad very memorable. Salamanca was the perfect city to practice my Spanish because of its textbook Castellano. Not only was I able to better my Spanish but also learn about the history of Salamanca and immerse myself in their beautiful culture, as well as enjoy the local cuisine, take on new hobbies, and make lifetime friends. I learned a lot in a semester whether it was from my classes or traveling with my program to other Spanish cities and nearby countries.

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)

This varies on your spending habits but for the most part it was not hard to live on a student's budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Put aside at least $50 a week months prior to your study abroad experience and get a credit card that does not charge international fees.

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

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? Spanish 301
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? Read, watch telenovelas, listen to Spanish music. Expose yourself as much as you can before you go and do not be afraid to make mistakes when you speak!

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Trips
  • Dining
  • Support
* What could be improved?
  • Classroom Integration
  • Spanish Student Intercambio
  • NA
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do not pack as many shoes! Bring converted money, speak to more spanish students, take more culture classes in the foreign language you are studying, and really be present.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.