Valencia Spain: More Than Just a Study Abroad Past Review
By Dani R (ESL, Longwood University) for
Institute for Spanish Studies (ISS): Valencia - Institute for Spanish Studies
I learned a lot about the European culture and how hard it can be for people moving to a new culture trying to learn their language and customs. I now have a new apreciation for my future ESL students and I will know what they are going to go through.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a great time with ISS, they helped me with anything I needed, especially for directions. I enjoyed all the classes and the teachers were actually easy to understand. I really enjoyed the small class sizes, because I got to practice my spanish a lot more and got a lot more personal attention. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was very nice, and the food was amazing, however my host mom constantly had students over from othetr countries. We always had students ranging from ages 10 to 21 and from many different countries. One time we had up the 11 people in the apartment. It felt more like a hostal than a home and the mom was actually kind of rude when she corrected my spanish and mocked me a few times for not knowing the right words. My biggest complaint though is having 12 year old in the room next to me during my midterms because they stayed up very late at night and were very loud. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of my intercambios failed to meet up with me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe there |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spainish with other american students, teachers, host family, and locals around the valencian area. Yes I needed to speak spanish daily. Some people in Valencia spoke English, but when I spoke spanish they would speak spanish with me. |
| 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?
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Yes there is a beach and clubs in Valencia, but I encourgae students to branch out and do things and experince things there that you don't have at home. See the roman underground ruins, go to a 13th century church, and visit the royal palace. The student that would benifit from this the most is a student who is willing to get out, meet new people, and are willing to explore on their own. |
