For those who want to learn Spanish and be in touch with local culture November 16, 2022
By Tristan D (Spanish, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 04/27/2019 with
Arcadia: Toledo - Fundación Ortega-Marañón
I gained fluency and also a deep appreciation for solo travel. I felt that I am more confident in my abilities and understanding of myself and my identities as a product of being in a new environment all by myself
Review Photos
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. |
Amazingly thoughtful and creative courses, with visits to museums and screenings of films discussed in class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * 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: |
We were told Toledo is one of the safest cities in all of Spain - I very much felt this was true, and had friends who felt the same. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Being a Spanish major and wanting to truly engage with and respect the local culture, this was the perfect program for me |
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) |
I enjoyed traveling and eating out quite a bit, but as I had a homestay it was very easy to depend on good home-cooked food and not spend as much outside of the home if I wanted to. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Definitely be aware of how to most cheaply access internet/phone while abroad |
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 |
It was meant to be a constant, immersive Spanish language experience 24/7 while at the Fundación |
| 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? | 300-level |
| 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? | Make friends through the language and learn about things that you personally enjoy, it will be much more motivating to use the language with that as a base |
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 the semester will go by so quickly! |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
