A remarkable journey accompanied by the greatest memories and friends Past Review
By Andrew S (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Abroad was the greatest experience and it was worth every dime and second of the opportunity
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were awesome and definitely different experience than being in a normal class room setting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was very helpful and always there for anything you would need. They made sure your experience abroad was the best it could possibly be |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The houses were great although sometimes we needed to ask for better utilities |
| * Food: |
I never ate better in my entire life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone was very nice and welcoming! if you attempted to be one with the culture the experience is that much better |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health was always a first priority and taken seriously |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
If you do not spend crazily it is very easy to maintain a budget |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | you can spend anywhere from 20-100 euro on food |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | just maintain a steady balance and do not spend recklessly if you do no need to |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken four years of spanish in highschool |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | just dive into the culture and use it as frequent as possible, even if you are scared you must attempt it |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | I did not need to know anything else, everything was set up perfect |
