Lord, how I miss thee Past Review
By A student (Economics., Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/10/2013 with
CIEE: Alicante - Language & Culture
Amazing Spanish skills, huge personal change (improvement I hope), a chance to travel the world, an appreciation of little things in life. So worthwhile.
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. |
The language classes were challenging while the other classes were hit and miss with difficulty. However, all of the classes are completely in Spanish so it's a challenge all of the time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Excellent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a homestay, the food was good and the care was good. Great people. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The problem with all programs is that it's easier to become friends with other Americans in your program, so I didn't have as many Spanish friends as I would have liked. But living in the homestay and the few Spanish friends I did have was good. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Alicante feels as safe as my college campus. |
| 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) |
Staying in a homestay, all my meals were made for me so if I didn't want to spend anything I didn't have to. Spain is a relatively cheap place right now as well. Nightlife can get expensive if you're an idiot. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy alcohol at the grocery store and drink it before you go out. Take advantage of your homestay's meals. |
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 |
All the time. Everywhere. |
| 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? | An intermediate course? tough question |
| 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? | Practice speaking. Watch spanish movies with spanish subtitles. |
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? | You don't need that many shoes. Really. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
