Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was expected to work just as hard as any other student, despite being foreign and having a little difficulty at first with the language. However, the professors were always sympathetic and always very supportive once they saw that I was working hard.

On-site administration of your program

I felt like the UPNA's international office was helpful, but they could have done a lot more. Like I said, they would always help you if you had any questions and were very nice. I would have liked to seen them take the initiative to organize cultural events and things like my university (Nebraska Wesleyan) does for our international students.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My address was Calle Julian Gayarre 1. I lived in the neighborhood of Milagrosa, and I only had about a 5-minute walk to the university and a 15-minute walk to the Old Town. It was a pretty cheap, sometimes run-down neighborhood, but it is perfect for students at the public university because of its location and low-price. I would not recommend the apartment I had to anyone, though. It was only 200 Euros a month, but it is not a place I could live again. <br /><br /> I lived with two Italians who spoke know English or Spanish at the beginning. However, being as Italian is so similar, they picked up Spanish instantly and were soon teaching me several knew things. I also helped them a lot. It was great to live with non-English speakers because then I was always able to speak Spanish: at the university, with my friends, at home, and anyplace else. The location was perfect, but the housing itself was pretty shabby.

I bought my own groceries, cooked, and learned a lot of knew things to cook. The Comedor of the public university was always convenient, and very good, but a little pricey. I would eat there if I had class or if I was studying at the library.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Pamplona has everything for college students. There are "botellones", which are parties in public places (mainly in the town citadel/fortress when the weather was nice. There were a lot of bars, clubs, and places to hang out. Spaniards party all night (literally til 8, 9, or 10 in the morning), so it is definitely a very social and friendly atmosphere

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The university has its own nurse's office, so the one time I was sick I went to her and got everything taken care of.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Almost no Pamplonans spoke English. I would definitely recommend Pamplona to anyone wanting to really focus on bettering their Spanish. It is a smaller city where one can encounter many locals; in addition, there are not many other Americans who study there. You cannot help but improve while living there, especially if you have international roommates and friends. Pamplona is only touristy in the summer, so you will not have the English option always available like you would in larger cities, so you are forced to really live the language.

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• International Students

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• Local Students