Breaking out of my bubble. Past Review
By Brittany F (IGS and Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/23/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
CIEE: Alicante - Liberal Arts
Definitely worthwhile. I learned more about myself, about the world around me, and how even though perspectives don't always match up, it's the overlap that makes the experiences worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
To be abroad is to be constantly in a learning environment. Every day is a new cultural lesson, and it is an opportunity like no other to learn from those lessons. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration did an excellent job giving updates and being responsive towards any questions I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living arrangements were done through a survey and my host family was the best host family I could've asked for. They were very excited to meet me, loving, and we still maintain contact even after I left. |
| * Food: |
I miss the food back in Spain. I've learned a lot more recipes to bring back with me to America, and plan on using them. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did my best to spend time with locals, join clubs, and meet people. Students our age were very friendly and were willing to hang out during their free time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
As a Type 1 Diabetic, all my needs were very well met. I felt comfortable with my condition and was able to manage my medications without much difficulty. |
| * Safety: |
Safety warnings during orientation were well described, and because of it I had no issues getting around during my travels. |
| 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) |
The prices in the area were very cheap and my host family was willing to cook me meals for when I needed those as well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find local places, not touristy places. Learn to cook, and travel to places that are cheap. |
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 |
Classes were in spanish, families only spoke spanish, and the people in the town almost always spoke spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | HISP 105 (as a review before starting the program) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Movies, books, people, clubs, anything to keep you talking. But especially movies that you find interesting. (Subtitles are okay so long as they are in the language you are trying to learn) |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Save up on medications that cannot be shipped to your country. Start 6 months early |
