I would study abroad in Spain again! Past Review
By Ashlee G (Environmental Studies/Spanish, Illinois College) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Absolutely, I loved every second of it and had a lot of opportunites for travel to other countries and all over spain while I was there.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought my classes were helpful and having the opportunity to take actual university classes in my major from home was a great experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Armanda and Cynthia were absolutely great! They were like our parents while we were over there and helpful with anything we needed. They run the program very professionally and watch out for their students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
the food is amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. My family supplied me with all my meals and I made sure to make it home because my mother was a great cook! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Armando took us on many trips all over Spain. He also went with us on "El Camino de Santiago." I'm probably most glad that I did the pilgramige! It's a once in a lifetime opporutnity and was fascinating! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
After the Camino I had a stress fracture in my foot. Cynthia took me to the doctor and stayed with me while I was examined. No other health issues arouse |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The program did very well, helping me find a student at the university to meet with a few times a week and practice spanish, putting me with a helpful family. Armando taught his art classes in Spanish and spoke mostly or only spanish on the trips he took us on. It's up to the student to actually submerse themselves in the language however. It was easy to use mostly english while over there if desired. |
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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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? | Make an extra effort to submerse yourself in the language and use it at all opportunites. It's very easy to speak mostly english while there and that will not help you become fluent in the language! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
can not remember specific courses |
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| Credit Transfer Issues: | yes, spanish and art |
