A DREAM! Past Review
By Danielle F (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/21/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain
- best experience of my life -perspective on life changed -have the ability to live simplier (or out of a backpack for weekend trips) -importance of studying languages -appreciation for everything at home the list can go on and on
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. |
Different way of testing; all fill in the blanks. Harder on expectations of exact information they want in essay style. Yet, to get a B in a class you only need a 6 (which is a 60-89) |
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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? |
Satisfactory. In Europe you can't expect much; I was happy with a longer shower than 2 minutes! |
| * Food: |
For 3 months I lived with a host family who was not as financially stable. We were eating all frozen prepared food and limited amount. Finally I moved and it was a success! I was pampered! I had lovely homemade authentic spanish meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Practiced spanish with my host family. Should of participated in acitivities with locals but was scarred too due to my spanish level being so poor. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Didn't have any issues |
| * Safety: |
Felt very safe in the city of sevilla |
| 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) |
Ate all meals within my host family. Went out once a week and was reasionably priced! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 400 (trips) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | book your trips as soon as you get there (ryan air) if you are trying to travel look to see where your city is located and if is difficult to get to places |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
had spanish class everyday. very beneficial to my growth. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | high school spanish for 3 years |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | bring one suitcase; look into airport |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Culture Up Close |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Enrique |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A very interesting character of a teacher. really cared about the success of his students. Easy class; forced you to volunteer. I volunteered at an elementary school teaching english and really enjoyed my time there |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
