It was amazing to be a guest in such a rich city. Past Review
By Nicole (University of Florida) - abroad from 01/03/2018 to 03/24/2018 with
SAI Study Abroad: Barcelona - Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
100% worthwhile. I improved my language skills, became even more independent than back home, and was forced to break past my shell everyday.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 did independent housing |
| * Food: |
How can you not like Spanish food?! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
A trimester has proven to be too little time. I felt as integrated as I could in such a small amount of time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a |
| * Safety: |
I feel so safe here. Transportation is reliable and visible, and the streets are well lit. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I think I would have been more comfortable taking classes with locals than I originally anticipated. I like the HESP program but sometimes it felt too insulated. This was not a reflection on the SAI programming, but rather a reflection of a personal choice in choosing a program that included only American students. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget at least a $1,000 for trips |
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 |
All the time-I took all my classes in Spanish. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I am a Spanish major, so 3000 and 4000 level courses. |
| 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? | Immerse yourself as much as you can and practice speaking with native speakers. |
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? |
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? | I wish I had realized how short three months really was--go for more time than this! |
