Alicante, Spain: The Best Four Months of my Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the workload very manageable: it began with more time in class and less homework, and gradually my time in class decreased, and I had more work that I was able to do independently. The grading was very fair, and I had no problem transferring my credits from the Universidad in Alicante to my home college in the US. I found all of my teachers engaging, the discussions useful, and I learned a lot from my time in the classroom (as well as out). I felt that the classroom expectations balanced well with the challenges outside of class, so that I was learning enough, but not being overwhelmed. I also learned a lot from the variety of students in my classes, being able to work with Spanish students from Asia, other European countries, the United States, Africa, et al.

On-site administration of your program

Armando and Cynthia were GREAT - they were available for help, gave us lots of information about opportunities, and took a lot of time to make sure that we got the most possible out of the program. I got to know them well, also, because of the small size of the study abroad program - Armando even led us on a trip to Granada!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

As mentioned above, I loved my host mom. She was patient and loved talking to me, and I learned a lot from talking to and interacting with her. We watched television, went to the movies, attended concerts, had good conversations, and did a lot together - she became a true second mother to me. I felt comfortable in my neighborhood, and I was even a five minute walk to the beach! It was a little bit of a walk to get to to the bus stop, but even though I had a commute to the university, I was quite close to the center of the city: the beach, the barrio, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, churches, etc. I had to buy few items once I got settled, just some shampoo, soap, and a couple of other personal care-type items, but nothing major (my host mother provided sheets, food, laundry, etc. I was treated as a daughter to my host mother. She was the only family member who I consistently lived with, though her sons visited occasionally, but she cooked great food for me, I helped around the house a little, I got my own bathroom, and she even did my laundry for me. We spent a lot of time together.

My host mom cooked/provided all meals for me, and she was an excellent cook! I got to try a lot of new foods, mostly traditional to Spain, and enjoyed most of them. She also was conscientious about asking if there was anything that I particularly liked or disliked, and tried to accommodate.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I traveled a lot within the country: Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Oviedo, Santiago de Compostela, Valencia, and a lot of the surrounding towns and countryside around Alicante. The Granada trip was arranged and led by our program, and it was like having a private tour guide who knew everything so well. I enjoyed all of my travels, but some of the best trips for me were the day hikes that I took with my host mother and her hiking group, around Alicante. I also did a three day hike in honor of the poet Miguel Hernandez, which Armando told us about and participated in, which involved hundreds of Spanish people walking from Alicante to Orihuela.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Alicante is a pretty safe city as long as you exercise basic common sense and safety. It is always better to go around in a group, like anywhere in the world, because there are safer times and places to be out. I don't recall any incidents in safety or illness. However, I know that in the past a girl from my university studied there and had to hospitalized, and her host mother and the program directors were with her in the hospital providing help, care, and making sure everything was all right.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to get outside and interact with people in the street, whether locally at stores, restaurants, and museums, or in your travels. If you have a host parent (which I strongly suggest), talk to them! My host mother was absolutely wonderful; we talked often and very much, and we still keep in touch. We watched television together and went to cultural activities (movies, exhibits, etc.) that helped my aural languages skills. Although there are many who speak proficient English, knowing Spanish (and knowing it well) greatly enriches the experience because communication is not a struggle, and natives are more comfortable around you if you speak their language well.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Host Family

• Living in another country and starting to become part of another culture.
• Food, travel, and perfecting my Spanish.
• My host mother, and Cynthia and Armando (program directors).

• More group trips (organized by the program).