A semester in the Basque Country! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic edudcational experience was a dissappointment. Before classes start, class descriptions are unavailable; the only way to find classes are to go to them and see if you like them. Many professors don't have course syllabi, and are not available outside of the class. Some professors demand a LOT, which is fine, but they are not there to help you. Why not save the money and just create art on my own? Other professors let you do whatever you want. You can spend the whole semester working on one painting (and not even finish it), or you can whip out several paintings a week. It's totally up to you...Basically, there is no guidance. You are on your own, and when you are in a new place, speaking a new language, surrounded by new people, places, and cultures, being on your own is tough.

On-site administration of your program

Our program director was like our mom--very concerned for all of us, and quick to respond to any email or phone call that we sent her way. Unfortunately, she was not very familiar with art or the art school, and was unable to give much help to questions and problems we had pertaining to school.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

API arranged our housing situations for us. I was living with a host family in Getxo, a coastal town about 40 minutes by metro to Bilbao. I was a 5 minute walk from the coast, where the mountains that I was living in dropped straight down into the ocean. Getxo is a beautiful place. I was living in a very safe family oriented neighborhood, where all of the multi-family homes opened into a central courtyard, where the kids would gather to play on weekends and after school. The family provided us with everything that we needed- sheets, food, cookware, washer and dryer, beach towels, etc. and treated us like family members. When my roommate and I were out late at night, our host dad would stay up until we got home, to ensure that we make it back safely! If I could change anything...I would not have an american roommate. Though my host family only spoke Spanish, my roommate would not speak anything but English... It make it difficult to learn Spanish when I couldn't cut English out of the picture. I would also like to have lived a little closer to Bilbao. Transportation was expensive, and I had to go there every day, whether for school, nightlife, social or cultural activities. While where I was living was prettier, it would have been cheaper and easier and saved me a lot of time if I just went to the coast on weekends.

My host family prepared meals when we were all home together. On school days, I made my own lunch and breakfast with the food that was provided. We ate very well, but when the host family cooks, they serve your plate, give you more that you can eat, and expect that you will eat it. They also live off of olive oil, bread, and wine. I gained a lot of weight... Just remember your running shoes and it'll be great!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The social aspect of API's program compensates for the lack of academic strength. As mentioned above, there were trips and activited planned for us every week.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any issues with safety! I also never had to go to the doctor, but when anyone did, our program director went with them to help with the language barrier. API also provides health and life insurance

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

I was in Castellano Avanzado, an Upper level Spanish class for foreign exchange students. Many of the students were Italian, and as their language is very similar to Spanish, the professor went at a very fast pace to meet their needs...there was only one other American in my class, and I feel that we were left in the dust. Most of the Spanish I learned was outside of the classroom. All of my classes were taught in Spanish, I used public transportation, and I lived with a host family who spoke no English. I initiated conversations with locals, had to use Spanish to go to the store and to ask for directions (there aren't a lot of street signs, so I got lost a lot haha)

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• Host Family

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• Americans