soul-changing Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Psychology, Austin College) - abroad from 01/14/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Central College Abroad: Granada - University of Granada
Soul-changing, life-changing. Amazing and indescribable. I loved being abroad.
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 learned a lot about Spain and other countries in Europe. I really felt like I got out of the USA bubble, and it was fabulous! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My host mother was very opinionated about a lot of things, but it helped me gain a world wide perspective on how citizens in foreign countries think. And she was a great cook :) |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a much bigger apartment than others and a great shower so I felt very blessed!! |
| * Food: |
I love all aspects of Spanish food, except maybe the fried menos. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Speaking Spanish 24/7 was a real culture shock, but really allowed me to better integrate myself with all the locals and my teachers. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt completely safe in Granada. There wasn't one incidence where I felt like things could go downhill. Best city in the world! |
| 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) |
I traveled ALOT, so my expenses were pretty high. But in most cases, it's very manageable for other students on a lower budget. |
| * 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? | Not quite sure, probably 150 euros a week? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy airline tickets for other travels early in advance!! And take buses or trains. Much 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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | level 7 out of 9 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Not to be nervous or scared about traveling out of the US for the first time. |
