Home Away From Home Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Wonderful experience to learn about a different culture while living and interacting with people from that culture.

On-site administration of your program

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Fabulous! I stayed in a residencia with 6 other Americans from my program. We met 20-25 young Spanish college students living on the floor above us and we all still communicate now that we are back state side.

Food was great and the Mediterranean diet is wonderful; the place I lived served us food so we didn't pick what we wanted to eat most of the time unless we wanted to pay for a restaurant. (Reason for the 4.5 rating)

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I met 20-25 Spanish college students where I lived; we ate together, went to bars together, and I keep in contact with them today. My teachers were funny, smart, high level of English when needed, and were very helpful- I ended up adding most of them on Facebook!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There was a vegetarian that lived with me and she was well taken care of; if you have a food allergy let people know and don't be shy. Spaniards are wonderful and understanding people mostly!

I feel less safe in America than I ever felt in Europe; I am also from a small, nonviolent town. Please do not let terrorist stories keep you from traveling. If you do- terrorism wins.

I told my parents in the first month I was in Spain that I had never felt more content being so out of my comfort zone. My experience abroad gave me friends around the world, insight on new cultures, and the ability to learn about myself and to grow and evolve. People say 'I found myself abroad' which I used to ridicule, but having my experience I truly learned new things about myself: how to be more independent, how to communicate without knowing the language, how to make friends with people of different cultures, and the list goes on. My point, go abroad because you will not regret the experience and you might even find new passions, hobbies, or friends that you will keep for the rest of your life.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It is very cheap to live in Spain. Meals are usually 6 Euro and under but if you buy things from the store it is even cheaper each meal. My expenses were more because I decided to travel to 11 different countries while abroad; I highly suggest traveling. Each weekend I would budget 200 Euro to go to a different country and I would usually either be a bit under my budget or right at 200 Euro. It all depends on what you do and where you go- my other friend only spent 100 maybe 150 Euro to see a lot of places as well; just figure out what you want to see most and work around it.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I took all English classes, but I was surrounded by the language and my Spanish friends would have me speak in Spanish and they would speak in English so we were both learning and helping each other.

Select all that apply

• Dorm
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans

Select all that apply

• Americans

• The cultural experience
• Meeting/ keep up with new friends
• Hearing different oppinions on life

• More food choices in the dorm
• N/A
• N/A