Unforgettable Past Review
By A student (University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 06/26/2011 to 07/29/2011 with
API (Academic Programs International): Bilbao - Universidad de Deusto
Culture experience of Spain, improvement of language skills. YES!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not extremely daunting so that you can't enjoy the country, but especially the literature classes were on par with University of Michigan Spanish classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was great and well organized, API's Andrea was AMAZING! She helped you with whatever you needed and really let you know Bilbao. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed with Mar Dominguez and her family and she was absolutely wonderful and made our experience 100x better. It helps you with your Spanish because that's how you communicate in the house, great food, great place to stay. |
| * Food: |
Bilbao's food is amazing!! So glad I got to study abroad in a place with such wonderful food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt well integrated because the natives in Bilbao didn't speak as much English as a more touristy city, but since the university during the summer was mostly American kids I didn't get as much total immersion as I could have. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not get sick but another on our program did and she received the treatment needed. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe walking around Bilbao and was not even extremely worried about pick-pocketers as I would be in a bigger city like Madrid or Barcelona. Our API host, Andrea even said she has never been robbed in Bilbao. |
| 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) |
It was pretty easy because all your food was provided for you by your host family as well as laundry. Transportation by metro was easy and you just needed the month pass. The only thing is how much you want to spend on shopping for yourself/friends and fam. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably less than $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take out euros before you go because charges on ATMs can rack up. |
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? | 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? | Up to 300 level spanish classes (3 years of college) |
| 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? | Try to ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS speak in the native language. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, they know you're not a native and they will appreciate you trying and if you feel like that's not the case, keep trying anyway! It will be to your benefit and you will get so much more out of the program. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | To not be afraid to speak even if you're going to make mistakes |
