Study Abroad in Valencia Past Review
By Andrew R (Mechanical Engineering., SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes. I wish I stayed longer as I was just beginning to feel a part of the community when the semester was winding down.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | AIP Language Institute - Valencia |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Glad workload wasn't large. This gave more time to experience the local culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very accessible and knowledgeable, helpful with everything. Sometimes felt babied with travel/activities...results from too many uptight American parents/lawyers getting upset if any little thing were to go wrong. All in all a very positive experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Plaza Canovas, great area, safe, central location, beautiful. Flat was nice, rooms adequate for what I needed. <br /><br /> Excellent. Great family, wonderful kids. Great location. |
| * Food: |
Good blend of cultural meals and convenience for easy lifestyle at home. Given access to kitchen to make meals if family working/out of town. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great social opportunities in the city. Access to sports, clubs, music. Travel very workable with school schedule. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Any incidents were dealt with swiftly by administration. I felt about as safe as possible without a bodyguard walking next to me at all times. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | No exact numbers...approx. $5000 during the semester includes traveling about %50 of weekends and week long trip to Morocco. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget of all the places you want to travel to early and buy tickets/hostels then. Prices go up very fast if you book close to the travel dates. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Spoke Spanish with host family and most people encountered in Valencia. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Stay away from the other Americans unless they speak Spanish most of the time. |
