Santander: an authentic Spanish experience at the beach Past Review

By Christina A (Political Science and International Studies, Ramapo College) for

ISA Study Abroad in Santander, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My time abroad changed me completely. I can now speak Spanish, I keep up with Spanish news and events, I have added another major to include an international spectrum, myself and many of the friends I made while abroad plan on returning to Santander in 5 years for a reunion.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The Spanish grading system was confusing compared to the American grading system we were used to.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Gloria and Mayte were great on-site supervisors. They let us be apart of planning trips to where we wanted to go to, helped with tutoring, and were always there to listen to any issues we were having.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived with another American but all other students were from Spain. The residencia was very safe - there were security guards and a perimeter fence. The classes were right across the quad from my room. The main plaza in Santander was just a quick walk through the tunnel into town.
* Food:	I enjoyed being able to choose what I ate and how much I ate for each meal - it was one of the best parts about living in the dorms.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	All of the trips planned through ISA were amazing; The Picos de Europa was my favorite day trip and Salamanca was the best full weekend trip.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Health was taken very seriously here, if any of us felt ill we were taken to the pharmacy or doctor right away. A few of us did get colds during the semester. Santander was an unbelievably safe city, I nnever felt uneasy while walking home at night.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
Language acquisition improvement?	I was able to practice my new Spanish skills with students, professors, locals, university workers, and shop owners.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Other

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Students who really want to immerse themselves into the Spanish culture should take this program. Santanderians are exemplify the Northern Spaniard to a T.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Spanish Civilization and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:	Lee Cory
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Lee is one of the smartest people I have ever met, he was so knowledgeable about Spanish history and exciting to share that knowledge with us.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Spanish
Course Department:
Instructor:	Inma
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Inma was amazing, she is a great person and so helpful with learning a new language.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Economy of the EU
Course Department:
Instructor:	Florian Unkle
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Florian was very well versed in the subject and was able to get across complex ideas to the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: