An Inclusive and Diverse Research Experience like Nothing Else Past Review
By Katherine Pesek (Texas Lutheran University) - abroad from 05/29/2019 to 07/27/2019 with
API (Academic Programs International): Madrid - Internship Programs in Spain
I learned techniques used in my field and was able to embrace/understand how individuals with a different culture than mine live. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences in the way were are brought up and different are lifestyles are.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The center and the team I worked with were absolutely incredible. They were very welcoming and helpful. I not only learned but enjoyed spending time at work! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I could have used a little more instruction or help when first traveling to my internship. I got lost during my first trip there and could have been escorted the first day. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had my own room that was cleaned M-F. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Not once did I feel unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Definitely. The people I worked with and the sites I saw made my trip one I will cherish for the rest of my life and share with those who I encounter. |
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) |
Depending on how often I decided to eat out (sometimes I missed the times when the housing served dinner) and how much I spent on snacks/clothing I either managed or struggled. I could of done better about spending during the first month of my trip. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | roughly 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Create an excel that you can use to either keep track of spending habits or to create designated amounts allowed to spend each week. This includes setting aside or looking up how much side trips during the weekend will cost (even if you don't end up going everywhere you plan). |
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 was not required to speak Spanish while I was at work but my coworkers would practice with me often. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish I |
| 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? | try and speak the language whenever you have an opportunity! If in your home country use apps like Duolingo to help beforehand. While there, don't be shy to try and speak with locals (even if you are not perfect), they understand you are trying and will try their best to help/speak with you. |
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? | That planning my budget ahead of time would have saved me a lot of stress. I also wish I would've known that the dress code for my work was more relaxed and casual because I could have decreased how many clothes I brought. |
