Spanish Summer Past Review
By Rebecca T (Spanish, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 07/12/2014 to 08/12/2014 with
Estudio Sampere: Madrid - Language School in Madrid
I improved my language skills and understanding of the culture. It was 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. |
The classes were fun and lighthearted, but I learned immensely more on the street, alone. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators were friendly and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The house was clean and well sized. My laundry was completed daily. I had a bedroom and bathroom all to myself. |
| * Food: |
I was not given enough to eat and when there was food prepared they were dishes I had previously stated I did not care for. I wound up spending a great deal of extra money just to eat from day to day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were either with our 25+ group of Americans or solo. Any chance for integration occurred on my own terms when I wandered alone or with one other person. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I have never felt more safe than walking the Spanish streets alone at 3am. |
| 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) |
I was not expecting to spend so much money on food. If the food situation had been better, I would have put down a 5. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | -Have your host parent make you coffee and get a thermos. Those daily coffees add up. -Pay for experiences that are meaningful. Club entrance fees are not a thing for girls. If there is a charge, do not go. Go to a historical place and learn something. |
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? | SPA 231 |
| 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? | Refuse to use English with your group members. Make them speak the language too. |
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? | 0 |
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? | Sexism on the streets is alive and well in Spain. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
