An Authentic Small City Experience Like No Other Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I wish some of the classes could have been more applicable to my majors at my home university, but I still very much enjoyed the classes I took at UCA. Spanish geography and sociolinguistics were particularly fascinating as they were unlike anything else I could have taken at home.

On-site administration of your program

Vicky was AMAZING in every way possible. She went above and beyond to help us in every aspect of our time in Cadiz, from helping us enroll in classes (individually talking to every professor we were considering for classes), to recommending restaurants (even mapping out how to get their for us!), providing tons of excursion experiences and opportunities, proving emotional support (which I very much needed!) and just being an overall fantastic human being. Her joyous and uplifting personality can't help but make you smile!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was sometimes hard to live with little children, but my host family overall was very accommodating, and. Our program director Vicky did everything in her power to make it comfortable for my American roommate and I.

Absolutely amazing. If you can get your hands on some jamón ibérico or some homemade paella, it will change your life!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I often still felt like a foreigner - basically just because I was - but the local. Spanish students were super accepting of us and hung out with us outside of classes like it was no big deal. The most fun I has there was spending time with locals. I also got to know a wide variety of other exchange students from all over the world, which there are certainly no shortage of in Cádiz! It made my experience a "world" immersion just as much as a Spanish immersion and I loved it!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't experience any health issues.

I felt very safe in Cadiz. Obviously as a young American girl, I still don't think it would be very smart to go walking around late at night by yourself, but overall I never felt threatened.

Yes, because I experienced the kind of cultural and linguistic immersion I was looking for. Cadiz is a hidden gem that deserves recognition for its city capabilities but small town feel. I loved that it was small enough that you began to feel like a part of their community without just being another face in a sea of people. There were moments where I wished there was a little bit more going on other than night life, but is also think I could have done a better job of researching opportunities that I hadn't yet experienced. For example, I recommend trying surf lessons!!!

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

Honestly I didn't do the best job of keeping track of my expenses abroad. I had a lot of help from my parents, and we talked about how much excursions cost, but I should've done a better job of tracking the day to day stuff. The city overall is not very expensive though, so there's nothing to worry about there! Bus passes are pretty reasonable too.

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The cultural/linguistic immersion
• The intimacy of the town and our program (5 Americans total, and Vicky our amazing PD)
• The music, food, cobbled streets and countless beautiful beaches!

• It could be fun if there were were a group living option for students, like in Sevilla (about 8 students living in a dorm-like setting with host parents)
• More clarity on class options before school started
• More interactive activities like flamenco lessons, cooking classes, surf lessons, etc.