Espana: Como se dice... Past Review
By Alexandra V (Spanish And Secondary Education, Providence College) for
Hamilton College: Madrid - Academic Year in Spain
Talking to native speakers in your second language and thier first language has forced me to become more confident, and out going. Also, being installed into another college´s program with their students who are already friends has make me become more outgoing because I think it is harder to make friends when there is already set groups of people than when everyone is new... especially in such a small program of 30 people. I find it much easier to talk to people and ask questions when I dont understand something or when I am confused. I was already planning on going in to fields of teaching either English as a Second Language or Spanish Foreign Lanugage, but this has given me more perspective of those in the United States that are struggling not only to learn, but to perfect their english to become fluent. It is not as easy as many would like it to be, and I have first hand experience with this.
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. |
A good amount of workload and reading with the classes that I took, but others didnt have as much taking other classes. Grading system fair, not too many grades in each class. |
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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? |
Everything was provided. |
| * Food: |
Best food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Extremadura, Pais Vasco, Andalucia. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Santias health coverage, we got full coverage for all doctors appointments, tests, etc. Best health coverage they could have offered 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I spent much less than most people and managed my money well. I always tied to find the cheapest transportation, hostels, airfair, etc and saved a lot of money on food by eating at home for most meals. |
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? |
Everyone has to speak Spanish at all times. Talking to anyone in the center, or host families, that are native speakers. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Suggestions on what to do in Madrid |
