Broadened my perspective. Past Review
By Madeleine H (Brigham Young University) - abroad from 01/09/2013 to 03/27/2013 with
Brigham Young University: Alcalá de Henares - Spain Study Abroad
My mind has been opened to so many more possibilities of living and choosing and learning.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I did not like the lack of focus on learning Spanish. I definitely dedicated more studying to my general education sociology class than to my spanish classes. I wish we could have had more class time--maybe a spanish culture class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
No complaints. I only wish that I had lived closer to the main part of Alcala. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The family fed and cleaned, but did not really want to develop any other relationship with us. It was strictly business. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Again, I wish I would have had more classtime to help my spanish. If i had been better at spanish I would have gotten more involved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
had no experience. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safer there than in the US. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
just fine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Not 50 on average. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish I wouldn't have been so cautious with my money, and had boughten more souvenirs. |
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 wish we had been encouraged ALOT more. |
| 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? | Span105 |
| 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? | Just do it! Don't be afraid, and talk to your family. |
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? | To do the spanish thing on my own and not rely on the classes/program to teach me. |
