Had an amazing summer Past Review
By Kristen Casey (University of Florida) - abroad from 05/31/2019 to 08/03/2019 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Mediterranean Culture Studies: Barcelona & Sorrento
I learned how to be self-sufficient in so many ways. Not only do I feel comfortable traveling almost anywhere now, but I am confident I could do it on my own if I needed to.
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. |
Classes were hard enough that you had to put in the effort, but not so hard that you couldn't enjoy your time abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CISabroad was so helpful whenever I needed, and you could tell that all of the staff really cared. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing! Not what I was expected at all. All of the housing I saw was great. It went above my expectations. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had the most amazing time of my life abroad. There was so much to see and do, and overall I have grown as an independent person. That will forever be something I take with me into other experiences. |
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 wanted to do a lot, so it was hard to stay in budget. But it wasn't impossible, and especially in Barcelona food was very well priced. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out so much. Cook at home! Or stay with a homestay that will cook for you. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Spanish I |
| 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? | Always order food in Spanish at restaurants. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | It isn't as scary as it may seem to go abroad. It is so so worth it. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
