Spain: The Time of My Life. Past Review
By James W (Spanish; Intl Stud, University of Oregon) for
GEO: Oviedo - Study Abroad Programs in Oviedo
I learned a lot of Spanish and a lot about their culture. My experience was amazing and i would do it all over again with the same people because when compared to the other programs that were in spain at the same time, ours was by far the best.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were amazing and it was very well organized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Anything we wanted they had available for us. Host families were very providing, teachers were helpful and the program directors were AMAZING! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt like I was a part of the family. They were really really great and made my stay so great. The neighborhood was extremely safe, 15 minute walk to anywhere in the city. I did not need anything to settle except some soap for showering. |
| * Food: |
food was delicious, I was full to the point of exploding after every single meal. I think I gained about 10 lbs. family recognized which foods i liked and vice versa and prepared food accordingly. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
San Mateo, Premios Principe de Asturias, our trip to Sevilla and Bilbao were the coolest things ever! Everything that we did with our program was above and beyond my expectations. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was very important and yet never a problem on our trip. I dont know of one person who was robbed or pickpocketed anywhere in the country while we were there with our group. Health was also very well taken care of, one girl got sick and was treated promptly and was better in no time. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The best way to learn is through practice! My host family did not speak english, our teachers, and program directors did though but discouraged it. We were there to learn Spanish not english! |
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 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 is difficult in the beginning if you are not used to being away from your family but it gets much easier and everybody that you will encounter helps you as much as they can. |
