Summer in Salamanca Past Review
By Will D (Accounting/Finance, Spanish, Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Salamanca - Advanced Spanish Immersion
Yes, I thought it was a great self-learning experience and I would recommend it to anyone.
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. |
I had two different grammar teachers for my grammar class, and both of them brought different sides. One was fun while one was more serious and I learned a great amount from both. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were great and they were organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was treated great. |
| * Food: |
After getting used to the schedule of meals, I was always satisfied. My host mom was a great cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There is an extensive night life in España. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe walking back home late at night. There were hospitals located nearby as well. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent quite a bit, but I went out often. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The exchange rate is killer. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone under IES encouraged us to only speak Spanish when around one another. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | If you like to go out, Salamanca offers a fun night life. However, it is a smaller city. I had a great time, but traveled on the weekends often to bigger cities, like Barcelona and Madrid. |
