Unforgettable Summer in Málaga!!! Past Review
By Brisa K (International Studies and Spanish, University of Florida) - abroad from 06/26/2014 to 07/29/2014 with
ISA Study Abroad in Málaga, Spain
I gained the confidence to speak Spanish and to travel. I learned how independent I can be and it is priceless. This affordable program is worth every penny!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The school is 3-minute walk from El Palo beach. The campus is exclusively for international students, but you are likely to have classes with fellow ISA students. The workload is doable. I barely had homework and found that my language class was not that challenging. The other class that I had was interesting, but I did not expect to write a long paper at the end so it made the end of my program a bit stressful. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA staff in Malaga is so welcoming and helpful. They respect your decisions and understand that the students are adults, but they are always there if we would ever need help. If there are questions that they could not answer right away (very few existed), they will not stop until they find the answers! I owe much of my "independent" post-study abroad travel planning to the staff! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
As for the housing, I am glad I chose to do a home stay. My host mom picked me up from the Malaga Maria Zombrano train station and made me feel at home since day 1. She and my host dad are very understanding, especially when it comes to my countless changes of plans. They also listen to my food preferences and I am very satisfied with the meals. Another plus is that my laundry was done more frequently than it was expected! |
| * Food: |
Living next to the Mediterranean has its advantages! Food is more than abundant and my host-parents are amazing cooks. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although it has a well-connected airport and miles of Mediterranean beaches, it is not touristy so you will barely hear English - if at all! The locals are very warm and friendly. ISA also organized the first language exchange (intercambio) with the locals to get you started. I personally went to a few more independently and was able to become friends with Spanish people my age. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health issues while in Málaga, but I had a peace of mind knowing that the cost of the program included health insurance. |
| * Safety: |
Compared to the other students, I lived the furthest from the city center, even though it was only three blocks from the main shopping street. Inevitably, I had to walk home alone after a night out, but I generally feel very safe. I've heard people say that the Spaniards stay late out at night, but I found that this was not always the case. Oftentimes, I would be the only one in the street at night. It is also said that cat-calling is an issue, especially in Andalusia, but I think it has been blown out of proportion. It does not happen as much as people seem to say. Yes, some men will utter "guapa" or "morena" as you walk by, but as long as you ignore them, they would not advance. |
| 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) |
Compared to the rest of Spain, the living cost in Málaga is very affordable! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I never spent over 13-14 euros on a few meals that were not included in the program cost. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as you can before coming! It's a good idea to have more than one card. Withdraw money as least frequently as possible. Each time you do, you will pay at least 5 euros (plus 3% of the amount withdrawn depending on the bank). Some people will tell you that a well-known American bank is partnered with a European bank so you will not have to be withdrawal fees. This is true in England but NOT Spain. Talk to your bank and let them know that you will be using your card outside of the country and inquire about the ATM withdrawal policy. |
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 |
The local professors do not speak English in the advanced classes at all :) |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | One 4k-level classes |
| 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? | Budget your time to meet the locals, not just hang out with your American friends! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have known that my host-family were Argentinians and one was a smoker, but it was not an overwhelming issue and we got along very well. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
