Espana, me encanta Past Review
By Elizabeth B (Anthropolgy, Hamline University) for
Saint Louis University Campus in Madrid / SLU-Madrid
I really enjoyed my university and my study abroad experience as a whole, but if I could do it again I would go to a Spanish University instead. I think that if I had gone to a Spanish University I would be fluent now, and that was one of the biggest things I was looking to gain from my experience. Despite not having gone to a Spanish University, my Spanish level has significantly improved and I do not regret anything else about my time is Spain. My trip was extremely rewarding and full.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was fairly similar because it was an American University. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people at Saint Louis University were very helpful with any questions you might have had, and with helping you figure out what you needed to be living in Spain. There are no weaknesses that come to mind. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with one woman and another American student. It was a very nice apartment and it was easy to walk to school or to the city center from. My host mother was very nice, but not around very often and so there was a lot of freedom for me and the other girl. She supplied everything we needed in the room, and although the room was fairly small it was pretty cozy. I was very comfortable in this apartment. |
| * Food: |
The food in the cafetertia was surprisingly good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Madrid is a wonderful, and very beautiful city. I would reccomend making sure to spend time in as many spanish bars as possible, and stay away from the irish pubs for the most part. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was covered by three or more health insurance plans. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | A lot more that I was expecting, sometimes 80-100 euros or more. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Lunch is not included in the meal plan, and usually you cant cook in the home, so you should plan on 6-10 euros a day to eat lunch. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | An intermediate Spanish course |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My speaking skills improved a lot in speaking with the family members I stayed with. I also improved a lot in my profiecency in ordering food, and using Spanish in day to day things, when asking for directions or things like that. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is looking to step outside of themselves, and look at another culture through living there, and becoming involved in thier style of living. |
