6 Months in Cadiz Past Review
By Tessa (University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/05/2017 to 06/30/2017 with
API (Academic Programs International): Cadiz - Universidad de Cadiz
I learned a lot about Spanish language and culture. I also learned about travel, stepping out of my comfort zones, adapting to new environments, and being more independent. Study abroad taught me a lot of lifelong skills.
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. |
I loved that I had classes with native speakers. It was challenging and I got to know a lot of students. I had a wide variety of course to choose from and they transferred well to my home university. All my professors were helpful too whenever I had questions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My director Vicky was amazing!! She was so helpful and sweet from day one. She made a point to get to know each one of us and make us feel at home. We went to soccer games, movies, out to breakfast, and on different trips through Cadiz with her. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was so welcoming and kind! She was my mom away from home and I loved coming home every day. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was the best cook, and she got to know the foods we like and disliked. She cooked pretty traditional but was always looking for suggestions if we wanted to eat something in particular. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Its a smaller town so you get to know every street and its easy to find your favorite plaza, park, restaurant, or bar. It feels cozy, and its always nice to see familiar faces. As an american, it was still easy to live a Spanish lifestyle. Even though it was small, I was never bored, theres always something going on in Cadiz! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe, no matter what the day or time. Even as a young female I never had any problems walking alone or feeling unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was the perfect program. It was a beautiful city, the people were kind, and there was always something to do. School was challenging but not overwhelming, I got to improve my Spanish a ton, and I met some amazing friends. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else, Cadiz provided everything I could have wanted and so much more all with a homey and authentically Spanish feel. |
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) |
Very easily, with a host family almost everything is provided from housing to laundry to food. The only money I spent was optional such as clothing, going out, or traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of your host families cooking! Its usually very good, traditional and its free! Also, don't fall for touristy restaurants or stores. You get a lot more quality and cheaper if you go to local places. |
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 had to use Spanish with my host family who spoke no English, in my university classes, in stores and restaurants, and Vicky (our director) always encouraged us to speak Spanish with her and each other. |
| 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? | 330 |
| 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? | Talk! Practice having spontaneous conversations and speaking in different situations. It will help a lot when you have to do it in real life. |
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?
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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? | Its a beach town in the south, but it can get cold in the winter months. Don't assume it'll always be shorts weather! It's easy to get lost in the twisting streets of Cadiz, so take the chance and explore right away. I didn't find some of my favorite spots until the very end of my program! Its very easy to travel from Cadiz, there are 2 nearby airports that always had cheap reliable flights, so don't be afraid to explore the rest of Europe! |
