The most beautiful journey so far in my life. Past Review
By A student (Concordia University Nebraska) - abroad from 08/18/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
API (Academic Programs International): Cadiz - Universidad de Cadiz
I gained a ton of language skills, and a ton of cultural experience. I learned how beautiful it is to be fully immersed in another culture and to take some of those things back with you as a part of your own culture. I became changed for the better by my experiences there. The most worthwhile experience of my life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program is extremely academically challenging in the best way. It pushes you in your language skills since you are taking normal college classes with local students, all taught in Spanish. It really pushes you. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
This experience was as incredible as it was because of our advisor, Vicky Rodriguez. She is extremely attentive, always updating us on new information and helping us with absolutely anything and everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a wonderful family. Their home was very comfortable and the family was very caring and encouraging to me in my time abroad. I loved spending time with them and always felt like I could go to them with any questions. |
| * Food: |
Basically, Spanish food is incredible, and it is so nice to get to experience home-cooked meals in another country instead of having to buy everything for yourself. It adds to the experience of the culture! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I was constantly interacting with locals. Since the program is smaller, you don't just stay with the group all the time, and because you are in host homes as well you see a lot of things that you wouldn't if you were living in student housing or your own apartment. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the health clinic twice. It was very easily accesible, and my program director responded right away and took me there and stayed with me through the visit to make sure I understood everything. She also went with me to buy my medicine from the pharmacy and made sure to explain everything to my host family just to be sure they understood as well. There was nothing I needed a vaccine for in my host city. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe. Cadiz is a small town, so there really aren't many crimes that go on, and there are always people out in the streets so there's never really a time when you are alone in a place where you couldn't quickly find another person to help you. The only thing I felt uncomfortable with at times were the unnecessary comments form men on the street if they thought you were pretty or things like that, but that was more of an annoyance than something that made me feel threatened. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Cadiz is a special place. It is full of history, rich in culture, and full of kind and relational people. The program is set up in the best way for learning the language and also the best way for learning the culture. It forces you outside of your comfort zone and is very challenging, while at the same time it becomes the sweetest home. Our program director goes above and beyond at her job as well, and it would absolutely not be the same without her. |
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? | $25 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I'd say that it is important to make a budget. Perhaps tracking your spending in your first couple of weeks and then planning out your weekly budget would be helpful, and then remembering to set aside extra for trips as well, since it is so easy and cheap to travel around Europe. However as cheap as a lot of things are, the money adds up if you spend just a little every day, so be sure to keep track of that! |
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 |
Constantly using it because of the host home and classes with locals. |
| 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? | 400 |
| 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? | Find someone who speaks the language and have conversations. The best way to learn is to do. |
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? | It is going to go by so quickly, so take every opportunity to soak in what is around you and to fully be and embrace the culture and your situation. |
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.' |
