Transformative experience! July 20, 2023
By Elizabeth S (Political Science and Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 01/30/2023 to 05/14/2023 with
SIT Study Abroad: Spain - Social Movements, Democracy, and Cultural Identity
I gained confidence with Spanish, independence traveling alone in Europe, and amazing friends!
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. |
I really enjoyed the classes — they were engaging and I definitely learned a lot. I appreciated that they were not overly challenging, so I was able to explore Europe while simultaneously learning interesting material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I absolutely adore to program advisors in Bilbao. They were not only great resources, but great friends. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had an amazing experience with my host family. They were so welcoming, so friendly, and really helped me feel at home in Bilbao! |
| * Food: |
Spanish food is delicious! I loved trying pintxos and different meals there! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Staying with a host family was really helpful to the integration, and the topics of the courses and excursions that SIT leads makes you really feel like a part of the community. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had an AMAZING time in Bilbao. The host family component combined with the intensive language courses really helped me grow in skill and confidence with my Spanish. The classes are interesting and professors are really helpful. Not to mention, the excursions were so fun and there was still plenty of time to travel independently! It was truly such an amazing experience. |
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? | Probably roughly 20-30 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend limiting the amount of small purchases you make (ex coffee or pintxos) because they can add up! At the same time, it's always fun to do :) |
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 |
The Spanish course made it a lot easier to learn Spanish, but while we were together in the program we spoke entirely 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 level Spanish 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? | Definitely prepare ahead of time, and keep a list of new words you're learning! |
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? | I wish I knew that there would be plentyyy of time to travel independently outside of class and excursions! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
