Phenomenal! Changed my life through all the great experiences&friends I made. Past Review
By Amy P (Exercise and Wellness, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/30/2013 to 06/20/2013 with
Brigham Young University: Alcalá de Henares - Spain Study Abroad
I learned a lot from my peers. We were all different, but we all had a quality or more than one quality, that was a great addition to the group as a whole. We grew spiritually as we were able to share our testimonies and pray together at devotionals, family home evening, and church services. We learned from our experiences together that we were very blessed to simply be given the opportunity to be there and to see what we see and spend time together. Like I said before, very worth it!!
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. |
It was challenging when tests or big assignments came along because we had a lot of other things going on, but very doable. We all learned a ton and we loved our teachers! |
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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? |
very clean and spacious but a bit far from the location of the school and everyone else. overall, I was still very pleased |
| * Food: |
more vegetables would have been nice |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Met new people through church, and playing with sports with people at the parks |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't but my roommate did and she was attended well |
| * Safety: |
Very surprised with how safe Alcala was. The people there were very friendly |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 25 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take out as much money as you can from the ATM machines because you get charged everytime you do it. Don't hesitate to take out 200E for example, you are eventually going to use it, so have SOME on you, and keep the rest at home for when you need it. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Spanish 321 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to remind each other that you are there to learn the language as well. Set a goal for yourselves and limit the amount of time you have to speak english |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Well its not that I didn't know this, but it's just a lot more clear to me now that my Heavenly Father really does have a plan for me and that I came here for a reason and made new friends that would help me grow as a person. I had questions and doubts before I left, and while I was there it was all cleared up. So I am thankful that I made the desicion to go forth even if it meant taking out a loan, because I wouldn't change this experience for anything! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
