Spain: Incredible Past Review
By Emily H (Biology, University of Denver) for
ISA Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain
I LOVED STUDYING ABROAD. It was the best decision I've ever made. I am so much more in touch with who I am and what I want out of life...being away really forces you to focus on that because you can be whoever you want to be. This experience also helped me to overcome any sort of timidity about meeting new people and trying new things because those are absolutely necessary when atudying in a different country. Absolutely loved every minute of my time away.
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. |
I stayed with a host family and absolutely loved every minute of it. Salamanca is a beautiful city with a very active night life and there are always students and Salmantinos out and about, even at 5 in the morning. The cathedrals are incredible and there is so much history in the city. It is easy to spend the day down by the river or in the plaza which has free wifi. Everyone in the city is very friendly and it is a wonderful place to learn spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
ISA conducts excursions that have already been paid for in the money that you pay to go on the program. The excursions are very fun and informative and also well-organized and you are able to stay in very nice hotels with free breakfasts. ISA also has an office in Salamanca where all of the students in the program hang out and get on the computer and talk to the directors, which speak both Spanish and English |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I shared a rooom with a girl from my home state that I had never met before and who was also part of ISA and we got along really really well. We lived with a boy from Russia, a boy from Japan, and a Spanish girl who was studying Pharmacy. Our host mom slept in the living room because there were so many of us in the apartment. The only common language all of us spoke was Spanish so that was the only way we communicated at meals and inside and outside of the apartment. |
| * Food: |
The food in Spain is definitely not as flavorful as the food in the United States, but our host mom cooked very well, including famous Spanish dishes such as the tortilla espanola and paella. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Meeting other international students and people from Salamanca was one of the best parts of the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe in Salamanca and we all had insurance so if we were ever sick or needed any help, we could go to the hospital without being charged. |
| 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? |
My host family only spoke Spanish and all of my classes were in Spanish. Not many people know English in Salamanca, if any, so on the streets and in stores you speak Spanish. |
| 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? | Any student who is scared of going abroad or being away from family or friends for an extended period of time should suck it up and do it. Once you are away, you are having the time of your life and learning more than you would ever imagine about yourself and other cultures. My eyes were opened to so many things and it made me appreciate even more what I have in the United States but respect other cultures as well. Homesickness is inevitable, but so is its passing. All types of students would benefit from this program. |
