Adventure of a Lifetime Past Review
By A student (Springfield College) - abroad from 01/04/2019 to 04/12/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth every second and every euro. I learned a lot about myself and the friends I made helped as well. I learned about traveling and how to be flexible and open-minded. The most important thing I learned and embraced was to be flexible with new cultures. The best way to adapt to a new environment and culture is to be open and accepting of differences and to not panic!
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved how API was very helpful and accessible, and Barcelona is an amazing city with endless things to explore. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 175 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Living with a host family saves money on food, but if you are in an apartment go grocery shopping over eating out all the time! Use cheap flights and check airBNB and Hostels for cheap places to stay when traveling. Also buy less drinks at clubs as they are very overpriced. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School |
| 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? | Live with a host family and make yourself try to speak the language even if you can barely speak it to practice more. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I should have tried harder to learn Spanish to take advantage of the opportunity I had to learn a new language fluently. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
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