An amazing life chaning experience Past Review
By A student (Psychology/Spanish, Wagner College) - abroad from 01/07/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was well worthwhile. I've learned that there is so much more to see, do and experience and that I have only just begun
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administration was there to answer any question in a timely manner and they were very supportive and well informed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family they were very open, warm and kind, and they encouraged us to make the best out of our experience. |
| * Food: |
Our host mom was an excellent but there was some dishes that still required adjusting to. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt apart of the community during my stay because everyone was welcoming and because I got involved with different activities and found a local church that I felt comfortable attending. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The directors made sure they knew of any allergies before we attended events where foood was involved. I did not have any health issues during the program but when my roommmate and others needed medical attention they were supportive and made sure they went the same day. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe the entire time during my stay and my host family, directors and year students shared useful information. |
| 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) |
It is not difficult at all to live on a student's budget especially when the individual is wise with the available funds. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 10 euro maybe less |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Definitely save for the trip because once you are in Europe it is so easy to travel to other countries and it will help them to make the most out of the experience. |
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 |
After the first week or so we were encouraged to only speak in Spanish and a requirement of the program is to take an oral and written production class that was held twice a week and encouraged speaking. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | College courses |
| 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? | My best wasy of practicing is to actually speak with a native speaker and listen to the errors that you are making and learn from them. |
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? | To pack less and save more in preparation. |
