Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Andalucian American: Communication for Life Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Living abroad somewhere opened my mind do different lifestyles and ways of doing things. It's nice to discover that OUR customs, OUR government, OUR mannerisms are not the only way to interact successfully. I learned that any American could easily have a job abroad teaching English.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I loved the educational style in Spain much more than I like the system in America. In Spain there was a larger emphasis on class participation and speech, integrating ideas about our current political climate into Spanish. There was less of a pressure on meeting exact deadlines, as long as the assignments were completed well.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My expectations were met within this program, each worker there was very dedicated to us excelling. They had insider knowledge to a network of intellectuals and organizations within Granada, which helped us immensely for internships, excursions, and guest speakers.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Luckily my host family lived in a very convenient location, only a bus ride to school and a ten minute walk to the center. I would suggest bringing from America any specialty foods you happen to be drawn to, i.e. peanut butter, because you may not be able to get ahold of them abroad.

* Food:

My Spanish mom was a cook to die for. She cooked a variety of everything, and you have to be very open minded and willing to taste anything! Moms take food very seriously, so foreign students should be mindful in offending the cook by making any unpleasant faces, noises, comments, etc.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was an incredible experience my program peers and I were lucky enough to stumble into: a genuine Moroccan wedding. Apparently the place that the program usually sleeps in Morocco was unable to accomodate us because the woman was getting married, so instead we slept in an old house (with a Turkish toilet) and visited the woman on 1 of her 3 night wedding rituals. We were warmly recieved with lots of live music and dancing and fresh food, we were treated very kindly. We were also able to witness some of the bride/groom customs of the Moroccan tradition, and be surrounded by a large family in an important moment in someone's life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If any student had any problems, there were at least 3 numbers that were compulsatory to have saved in our phones that we could call.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I did Spain on a dime, I was only given $400 a month, so I guess I averaged $100 a week on food and personal expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The best advice is to eat at home with the family as often as you can, and save money by having a drink before you go out. If you have anyone come to visit you, keep in mind that they will most likely not be able to stay at your host family's place, so you will have to pay for a hostel or hotel to accomodate them.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate 2
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

The greatest asset to the SIT program was that every student has their own host family to live with. When there is more than one foreign student within a household I have found that whoever is strongest at the language will take on the majority of the communication, and the others will suffer linguistically. However, when there is necessitated interaction between natives and the student, the learner is forced to improve.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The professors cared so much for us, like sons and daughters
  • The excursions were liberating and built independence
* What could be improved?
  • Organization of flight arrivals (i.e. had to wait 6 hours in airport to rendezvous.)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The adventurous type of student will do best on this program, because they take you on a lot of excursions and you try and see and meet a lot of new things. Even if you think you aren't cut out for it, when put to the test you will succeed.