Wonderful Past Review
By Emma B (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain
It was the best thing I've ever done, I feel like I've grown so much and it was so much fun.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Granada, Centro de Lenguas Modernas |
| 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. |
More casual than at home, there were a lot less regulations on assignments. It was more like write for five pages about an artist. |
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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? |
I loved my homestay, but I know that a lot of other people have had problems with their families. |
| * Food: |
My host mom is a great cook and she's always trying to feed me more, once again I have heard of people getting the same food every night for example just a bowl of soup ever night and or not getting enough 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? |
no experience with this, I never had to go to the doctor. |
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| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at home when you can, it saves you a lot of money. And when your traveling buy things from the local grocery store when you can, its cheaper. |
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 would have liked it if they spoke to the groups more in Spanish, but I understand there are different levels of people. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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 Grammar |
| 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? | Become friends with natives, and if you have a host family talk to them! |
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? | I wish I would have known to bring less clothes, you buy a lot. |
