Awesome way to learn Spanish! August 08, 2022
By A student (Spanish, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 06/06/2022 to 07/01/2022 with
Estudio Sampere: Madrid - Language School in Madrid
I learned the language, about the culture, history and was able to actually experience life in Spain. You cannot gain this from a textbook in a lecture classroom.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great! |
| * Food: |
It was new and very different. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone was nice and helpful. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience with healthcare |
| * Safety: |
Some students had a hard time getting bearings on the first day; it was nice that an SFA police officer was there with us. |
| 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) |
My host family cooked many meals for me and even packed a lunch to bring to class. The extra money spent was my choice. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $85 because I liked to try restaurants too! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat meals with the host family and sample some other things in the town. |
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 |
The host family didn't speak English and most everyone in Madrid spoke Spanish too - I used Spanish regularly. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | I had taken two semesters of spanish at SFA before this 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? | Practice phrases that are used in town shopping and eating and riding the Metro. |
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? | The beds are small - I'm 6'2". |
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. |
