Espana Was a Life Changing Experience! Past Review
By Kara E (Psychology, Florida State University - Panama City campus) for
Florida State University: Valencia - FSU Study Center
The FSU Valencia Study Abroad program was one that I really enjoyed. It allowed me to earn college credit and broaden my language skills. I also was able to explore other countries with students and friends. This experience is one I will remember forever. It has also encouraged me to use my time to continue to learn my Spanish and possible work or teach abroad.
Review Photos
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 academics at the University were great. My Spanish class was taught in all Spanish. We were able to have many hands on experiences in city we stayed in as well as travel throughout Spain to see the different cultures of the country. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program allowed me to earn college credits in an environment that was unique. It did require a certain knowledge of the language prior to registration. The school did an excellant job in preparing us for the travel abroad with meetings and literature prior to the departure date. The size of the program was a nice size approximately 100 to 125 students and most were housed in the FSU Study Center. So we were able to stay in one area to study and live. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing inclued a dorm style room which was comfortable. Each floor had a kitched which had everything necessary to cook. We also did not have to bring anything but our clothing so everything was provided. The area we stayed was in the city of Valencia and was very safe and secure. |
| * Food: |
We were given vouchers for the week which included seven food meals to use as we felt. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program allowed us to travel one week with the school to Madrid. We had a program we followed which included activities and cultural events to historic sites. We also were off from Friday - Sunday. An event was planned on Friday with the school if you wanted to participate. Otherwise you were on your own. I traveled with friends to different cities within Europe. That was a wonderful experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe and secure at all times in the city. We were prepared and spent a day going over safety and details. We were also advised of the dangers in the largers cities. Overall I felt safe and escure. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used the host country language daily. I only spoke Spanish in the Spanish class, but outside my classrooms in my day to day activities I spoke Spanish. I also encouraged my friends to speak the Spanish language as much as possible. I purchased ficton Spanish books to read on my spare time to help improve my language overall. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would encourage a study abroad program. It opens your eyes in so many ways. Allows you to get out of your comfort zone. Especially having to speak another language basically to be able to get around and take care of yourself. I would do the study abroad again. |
