great Past Review
By Bridget D (Finance/Economics, Fordham University) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 08/24/2012 with
La Salle, Universitat Ramon Llull: Barcelona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
New friends and the experience of a new culture. Definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not very academically challenging |
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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 had to find my own housing without help from Fordham or URL. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Did not have healthcare concerns abroad. I had insurance but never had to use it. Spain is a modern country, I would assume healthcare is adequate. |
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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) |
If you want to have a good experience and travel and eat out, you have to spend. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 euro on average |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Come prepared to spend and save before you go. Food in Spain is cheap and eating out is not very pricey but it all adds up. The more you plan to see and do the more money you will need. |
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 |
Most classes were offered in english |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish Intro 2 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Meet locals and make the effort to speak in the native language. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | The school doesn't offer a full semester language course, only 3 weeks. If you want to continue studying you have to find an outside program. |
