Past Review
By Erene A (Plan II Honors/Sociology, The University of Texas at Austin) for
CIEE: Alicante - Language & Culture
I gained more self-confidence and the trust in myself to do what I want. I gained appreciation for everything and not the sense of letting things bother me when they are trivial.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Alicante |
| 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. |
The workload was fairly decent...not too much that wasn't expected. The grading system is a little different in Spain, but it was a great experience as well. They have a harder grading scale. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I was sick, they took me to the doctor. I needed help finding a bus route, they helped. I wanted to switch my host family, and they made it easy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In front of the Estacion de Los Autobuses. My madre was a little mean at times, but I loved my padre. The house was really nice and the food was great. <br /><br /> I was definitely near to the nightlife. Great bus stop close by. I was treated as a guest in the house, not really a family member. Everything was always in order, but I didn't feel a part of their family. |
| * Food: |
Helado is everywhere, take advantage of it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling and taking advantage of being in Spain for 6 weeks. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
City is safe, but definitely needs precaution at nighttime. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish I knew how much the bus transportation would cost and that we had to fill it. That should definitely be included because there is no other way to get to school. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Speak to your host family anytime there is a meal...there's usually something to talk about. Definitely need Spanish to get around Alicante. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make the most of your time in Spain. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Tradition in Art |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Jose Maria Garcia |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I loved this class. I learned so much and was able to apply what I knew when I went to visit these cities and museums. Pretty easy, too. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Credit not yet transferred. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spanish Language |
| Course Department: | SPN 3001 |
| Instructor: | Rosa Ochoa |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This class had a variety of different learning aspects...we learned grammar, composition, and the culture of Spain. We didn't have any field trips with this class, but it was mandatory. Participation and speaking are mandatory. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Haven't received the credit transfer yet. |
