A life changing experience Past Review
By Megan W (Industrial Engineering, Florida State University) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 04/19/2019 with
Florida State University: Valencia - FSU Study Center
I grew up a lot. Learned how to adapt, how to take care of my self, how to stay calm in stressful situations. I learned a lot about who I am and what I want. I also learned a lot about what I personally believe.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses were so easy. As long as you didn't blow them off completely and showed up to class, you would get an A. If you needed a tutor for a harder class they would get you one. They didn't have all the STEM courses I needed so I had to change campuses over the summer. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very helpful and accommodating. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Things would break sometimes. We didn't have heating or AC for the whole spring semester and didn't have a washer for a month but the program is accommodating and is located in the single best location in town. |
| * Food: |
Supposedly you were supposed to get breakfast but this was just cheap muffins and bananas. You did get meal vouchers to use around town, one for each school day and these were lovely. Grocery's were also very cheap. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You learn a lot about the culture and if you make an effort on your own then you can meet people, I personally made 2 friends. But other wise the program is only other Americans and it is easy to become totally comfortable with just hanging out with the Americans. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Best health care I have ever received in my life. Never paid for anything but the medication. The doctor actually became m friend and gave me his personal phone number. I went to the hospital once and it was beautiful and i was very well taken care of. I don't speak Spanish so that was hard for me personally but someone was always with me to help me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in my city. You could go anywhere down town by yourself in the day and if you were in a group at night you could do the same. There were some pick pocketers but if you were aware of them you were fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved it and would recommend it to everyone. |
Finances
|
* 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 have lived a lot of places in America and I have lived in the Republic of Panama too. This was my cheapest living experience. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stay in hostels when traveling, always check for flights, get comfortable with public transportation. Try to pack right so you don't have to buy new clothes. Take basics, the European style is different than the American. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
If you don't take Spanish class, you can leave having spoken practically no Spanish. I stayed for Fall and Spring semester and still do not know how to say sentences. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 2 from high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go out in the city and talk to people. Use it as much as you possible can. Make Spanish friends and go out to the bars with them and just listen to them talk. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Try to talk to people in the program before you about there favorite places in town, tips on savings money, where to travel. Don't be afraid to ask or dm a stranger. We all loved our experience and we love to share it with others. |
