Definitely a life-changing, language enhancing, culture immersing, experience! Past Review
By Keilah B (Studio Arts, Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 08/29/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
API (Academic Programs International): Bilbao - Universidad del Pais Vasco
My experience in Bilbao was TOTALLY worthwhile! I gained self confidence, confidence to go out into the world, traveling confidence, really confidence in MANY areas, navigation skills, communication skills, increased patience, cultural knowledge, openmindedness, the list could go on and on!
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. |
Because these were art classes, they weren't very hard. However, buying supplies and bringing them to the class was probably the hardest part. The art professors at UPV/EHU Leioa were so laid back. My favorite class had to be drawing III because the professor seemed to be so passionate about it. The classes at UPV/EHU are taught in either Euskera (Basque language) or Spanish, so it's best if you have good Spanish communication skills. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was great! Our program director was always available when we needed her. She was literally just a phone call away. API had several on-site services as well, and they certainly delivered! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! Spanish people are so hospitable. And they kindly took consideration of my special/particular needs. |
| * Food: |
Bilbao is famous for it's cuisine and seafood in particular. I'm not a big fan of seafood, but i enjoyed all the seafood my host family served me. Paella was probably my favorite dish as well as croquetas. Also there are bakeries everywhere. Try the napolitanas de chocolate and bollos de mantequilla...they're to die for! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I'm a lover of music. A friend and I were able to integrate ourselves with the local musical community of Getxo. They were very inviting and friendly. It made my stay in the Basque Country that much more memorable! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I sprained my ankle while i was in Bilbao. I immediately called my program director and she told me what to do. The doctor's office was close to the metro, therefore it was easily accessible and my program director offered to go with me every visit. |
| * Safety: |
Bilbao is a reasonably safe city. If you're smart, you'll stay out of local protests. Those can get quite out of hand, and could make situations much more dangerous than they should be. Other than that, you can easily walk home safely weather in the day or in the middle of the night after a party. I had to walk 20 minutes home from the metro every day, and several times when it was dark and i never had a problem. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Bilbao is not exactly the cheapest place to study abroad. Everything is pretty expensive, however sometimes if your smart and innovative, you can find cheap things and good deals. The metro and public transportation in general really broke the bank for me personally. I had to put about 40 euros on my metro card every week because i lived outside of the Bilbao city center and frequently visited there. I also had to commute 30 minutes by bus to school and pay for that as well. However, it all depends on what kind of person you are and what type of activities you like to do. It's not terribly difficult to live off of 300euros per month. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get a monthly pass for the Bilbao metro if you will use it often. That way you can have it prepaid and use it as much as you want without worry. The downside to this however is if you also take Bizkaibus. In that case you will have to use the standard Barik metro card because you can't use monthly passes on the Bizkaibus. |
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 |
I used Spanish ALL the time whether it was in class, hanging out with friends, at stores, even in my host home. Hardly anyone knew any English, my professors only spoke Spanish and Euskera, and my host parents only spoke Spanish. The only time i ever used English was with fellow American students. Even then, we spoke in Spanish most of the time. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School spanish highest level. Spanish was also my first language, therefore i didn't ever really study it much. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch Spanish/Basque television, listen to Spanish/Basque radio, involve yourself in the local community, stay with a Spanish host family and speak to them in Spanish often, speak Spanish with your American and local friends, and find someone to speak Spanish to that will teach you more Spanish in exchange for you teaching them English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | don't bring too much clothes, bring minimal because you WILL go shopping in Bilbao (IT'S SHOPPING CENTRAL!). So you'll end up having too heavy of a suitcase and not enough room for souvenirs or your artwork from class. Save your money up for travel!! Go somewhere that's at the top of your list, even if you have to keep a tight squeeze on your budget. Do what you want to do and have fun...just stay safe! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
