Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was a great experience and a wonderful city. Past Review

By (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication., The University of Texas at Austin) for

CIEE: Alicante - Language in Context

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The grading system was much harder, however when UT converted the grades, it cut some slack. The professors seemed more serious than at UT. Less of a friendship type relationship.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My expectations were met. Everything was very organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was amazing. My host mother was very caring and cooked me wonderful food. The location was good. I did not have to buy anything. I probably could have shown up without clothes.

* Food:

I do not eat meat, but do eat seafood. My host mother was very accomadating.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As I said earlier we had some field trips. The other American students were fun and I am still in contact with some of them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt like Alicante was a very safe place. CIEE reiterated over and over again to be very careful.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not that I can think of.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Spanish
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced language with my host family. Many people in Alicante will not speak English to you. However, my language skills would have improved more had I not had so many other American students to speak English with.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spanish Cinema
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This class was challenging because my professor did not speak English at all. We watched a lot of great Spanish films, but most of the time we had English subtitles. I participated less in this class because it was intimidating that my professor did not know English at all.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Spanish Composition and Grammar
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This class was a basic intermediate Spanish class. The professor was very helpful, and knew English which was helpful if I was ever confused.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.