Alicante: An unforgettable month! Past Review
By Kristin L (Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
The study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I became more culturally aware and definitely improved on my Spanish speaking skills. I learned so much about their culture and learned a lot that I will use in my future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We were in the classroom from 9 to 1 every day and also had weekly excursions. We visited a wellness center, university cadaver lab, hospital, and family crisis center. The cadaver lab was such an interesting experience!! The workload was just right for the program and the two professors are absolutely amazing! You learn so much more than just the hours in the classroom because you are completely immersed in the culture and Spanish language! Both the grammar and medical class were great. I really learned a lot and especially loved the medical course because I feel like I can apply a lot of it in my future working in the medical field. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty/leaders of this program are great! They both know so much about the region and were great professors. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My house was about a 4 minute walk from school and centrally located so it was close to everything! All bedding and meals were provided. I had my own room and my host mom did my laundry whenever needed. My host parents were VERY good cooks so I ate very well. |
| * Food: |
All meals are provided by your host family. We ate out as a group twice and you are free to eat out whenever you want as well. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Besides the trips listed above, we visited Elche and Murcia. There were also two weekend excursions to Granada and Madrid. I thought the program did an awesome job of planning trips and events. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
n/a |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We lived with host families that only spoke Spanish. This was a huge way to improve your language skills! You also had to speak Spanish to communicate with everyone there because few people speak English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is great if you want to spend your j-term abroad. You do not need to be going into the medical field, but if you are you will LOVE this program even more. In only a month, I learned a lot, my Spanish improved, and I made some amazing friends. |
