Semester in Salamanca Past Review

By (Muhlenberg College) - abroad from 01/19/2016 to 05/06/2016 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. I learned how to appreciate and love a new culture and language.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was very challenged by my courses. It was difficult but so helpful that my classes were all in Spanish. I loved the teachers we had.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Awesome administration! They are all so friendly and helpful!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I LOVED my host family.

* Food:

Jamón :)

* 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)

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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

  • International Students
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?
  • Language immersion
  • Helpful staff and teachers
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Even more language immersion opportunities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It will be very difficult at first speaking only Spanish all the time, but it is worth it and it gets easier.