Santander Spain is where you can locate my heart. Past Review
By Annalise O (History, University of Idaho) for
ISA Study Abroad in Santander, Spain
Can I go back? I started to be nostalgic about my experience before I finished it.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
I was blown away with how comfortable my host family made me. I still refer to my host mother and father as "madre" and "padre", I cannot imagine that I would have near the incredible experience (food, culture, dinner conversation etc.) without them. |
| * Food: |
It is very hard to be a vegetarian. This was not a problem for me but my family is vegan and I could see them having a VERY difficult time- pork was not "meat" because "meat" was just cow. Those kind of problems could easily arise. Also the portions, I am a substantial eater so it was not a problem for me but I could see how my mothers portions could make the average person sick if not too full. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program director Gloria took us to food stalls in the city- nothing like street food to connect you with a culture! My biggest suggestion for students is to let go of anything they imagined or pre-conceived; you will eat snails and you will love them! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host family and practiced Spanish there as well as the classroom setting. Unfortunately I was traveling with a (small) group of 5 and together we continually spoke English, even without intention. |
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? | ENJOY! I am a shy, reserved, timid person by nature and Spain (Santander) pushed every boundary I live within; on that same note, it introduced me to the person I want to become. Ditch your American judgment, standards, and lifestyle to fully indulge in the live-for-the-moment tranquility that Spain offers. |
