Malaga living like the locals! Past Review
By Sarah M (BS- Microbiology, University of Tennessee - Knoxville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Málaga, Spain
100% worth it. This is an experience I will cherish forever. I already want to go and live in Spain or Europe again.
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. |
The school system in Spain was definitely different than my home university. The classes were very very small and very personal. The classes were made of different students from around the world and the basis for learning was by practicing speaking the language. This was the emphasis more so than writing or turning in pointless assignments. I became much more comfortable with the language and learned much more in this atmosphere than at my home university. Success was graded in participation and effort, not so much assignments and time consuming work. The workload provided a better understanding while taking up much less of my personal time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was great. They were very welcoming and understanding towards our desires as students. They were very helpful with language help and with providing us a better understanding of their culture (especially with the delicious food). The apartment was in a really nice part of the town very local to the center of town and 2 minutes from the beach. Very nice experience overall. |
| * Food: |
The food was excellent!!! My señora really spent alot of time preparing us very good special Spanish meals. Some food was strange to us as Americans but overall we had the best food of anyone in the program I feel! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the excursions provided by ISA. Ronda, Cordoba and others were all amazing and provided a great look into different towns. More free time to explore and less time in guided tours would probably have been preferable but overall they were amazing! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Malaga was an incredibly safe town. I would highly recommend this place for that reason. The people are very kind the only issue there is is pickpocketing unless you aren't smart about things. The program leaders were beyond helpful when I got really sick in Malaga and helped me every step of the way. They were patient and quick to set up appointments and check on you during. This was a place where the program leaders definitely excelled! |
| 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? |
Most people did not speak english. English was not used to speak to the professors at the university or anyone at the university at all (except other students on occasion). English was not used in public or with my host family either. This was super beneficial in increasing my language acquisition. |
| 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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any type of student would benefit from this program. This program provided a great way to learn the language, see so many beautiful things, experience the beautiful relaxed culture that is southern Spain. |
