Spain: The Shattering of Stereotypes Past Review
By Alex L (Spanish & Latin American Studies, Seattle Pacific University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Málaga, Spain
Not only did I gain language skills, I also got to know a culture on a very deep level. Whereas before I never ever would have considered living in Spain, now it is a possibility.
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. |
Honestly in most of my classes I felt like I was in middle school. There was hardly any homework. The argument was that "It gives the student more time to converse with the locals" but still... Having every class every day seemed strange to me too. All of the professors were fantastic, though. I was very disappointed that the International department was totally cut off from the rest of the university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They did a fantastic job with everything! My only small suggestion is that they learn more about the cities so that when they are doing their own tour, they can talk a bit more about what we're seeing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was treated fantastically in my host home. I loved being in the city center, but I was not crazy about the 31-min commute to school that I had to make FOUR times a day! |
| * Food: |
She always put a lot of effort into the cooking which was great. She kept my dietary needs in mind too (lactose intolerant). But Breakfast was a little bit lacking... I would have liked more variety then the daily round of toast with jam and processed fruit juice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved all of the excursions that we went on. I also enjoyed the thanksgiving dinner, the intercambio, and other activities that we did in/city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
They did a very good job stressing the importance of drinking responsibility (If only the students would have listened...) and safety for women at night. |
| 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 could practice the language with everyone except the beginning students. |
| 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? | For your own good, don't get drunk! But if you insist, don't go home alone! Get away from the Americans and find local friends at the local university or by taking advantage of the intercambio programs. That's the only way to make huge leaps in speaking ability. |
