Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An all around learning experience Past Review

By (Health Sciences General, Gettysburg College) - abroad from 01/20/2015 to 05/08/2015 with

IES Abroad: Salamanca - Advanced Spanish Immersion

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and the things that I can do on my own. It was definitely worth while!

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I strongly recommend a host family.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

It's expensive to travel of course, but the program pays for what you need to live day to day.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would try to spend money on experiences and trips rather than clothes !

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 306
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Listen to spanish and watch spanish tv to get your ears used to the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • my host family
  • the group outings
  • the closeness of the group
* What could be improved?
  • lighter workload
  • more time doing practical things outside of the classroom
  • less complications with taking university classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew more about the university classes and how they work. I think that I would have liked to take one, but didn't feel prepared to choose one when the deadline came.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.