Valencia for 8 months Past Review
By Lacey Gotcher (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/30/2017 to 05/31/2017 with
Polytechnic University of Valencia / UPV : Valencia - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My experience was very worthwhile. I lived in a whole new way for the most part. I consider myself fully immersed in Spanish culture. I learned a lot of things about myself from traveling alone. I leaned how to solve problems when you are lost in a foreign country with no wifi or internet. I met people from all around the world, even some places that the people are stereotyped to hate Americans. I learned about managing my money to make the most of my travels.
Review Photos
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. |
The art department is very easy going and allows students to work freely. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international office is open 2-3 hours a day and there is only one woman working. They do not speak very good English so knowing Spanish is a plus. There was no first week orientation and the mentor program is a disappointment. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose to find a flat myself and it was the best decision. |
| * Food: |
The food in Spain is amazing. Very fresh and no chemicals. The prices for food are outstandingly cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first week in Spain I met my Now Spanish boyfriend of 7 months. He helped me become very intergrated with locals. My classes were only with Spanish people and a few other Erasmus kids but no Americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare was easily accessible on campus but had limited capabilities. I did have to go to a real doctor at the hospital in order to get lab work done and pay for a "private visit" even though I had international healthcare insurance. The technology is much more basic in Spain than in the US. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe city to live in. I lived in what is known as the ghetto for the first 4 months and never felt threatened even then. I was never pick pocketed my whole time here |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was hard at first doing the direct exchange program because I did not have any friends for the first 2 weeks compared to the students in study abroad programs with Americans. But I did not want to live in a foreign country and only live with and be friends with Americans. The language expectations were scary at first but the teachers were more than willing to help. |
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) |
5, very easy to live minimally in Valencia. For the amount of groceries I bought every week for 30 euros MAX, it would have cost double or more in the US. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I saved a whole year in advance. I worked really hard the summer before and saved a ton of money just for traveling while I was here. |
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 |
My classes were in Spanish but taught in the native tongue so the teachers understood that I only knew 30-40% of what they were saying. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Spanish |
| 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? | If you want to become fluent don't live with other Americans. Look to live with people that speak the language you want to learn. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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? | How hot it gets in the summer time in Spain and there are no air conditioners |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
