Culturally enriching experience. Past Review
By miguk.saram (Science and Technology Management, University of Texas - San Antonio) - abroad from 07/30/2012 to 08/24/2012 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I gained a lot of knowledge about the Spanish language as well as more foreign travel experience. It was definitely worth the trip!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Granada - Center of Modern Languages |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Learning at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas was very relaxed and informative. I certainly learned a lot about Spanish in a month's time. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
SOL Education Abroad is a wonderful program! They definitely made my experience in Spain very fun and interesting with all the activities! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was very kind and the housing accomodations were wonderful! The location was very near perfect. Not too far from school or the center of town. |
| * Food: |
Since Granada is a college town, there are TONS of places to eat, drink and hang out. An overall wonderful city that I could see myself living in one day if I ever want a lifestyle change! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt more like a Spaniard after being in Spain for a month, but it truly wasn't enough time to soak up all that Granada had to offer. I was definitely integrated into Spanish life well, but I certainly could have used some more time. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Granada has to be one of the safest places on earth as long as you act as the locals do. You do not hear of crime often. The only problem is that one person on our trip had an item pickpocketed from their purse while in a very crowded shop. Other than that, there were no other incidents during the trip. |
| 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) |
Because my host mother cooked every meal, it was easy to live on a budget in Granada. Furthermore, the city is a college town so there are plenty of places that cater to college students on a budget. I spent less than $50 a week on food. |
| * 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? | $50 a week or less. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't purchase too many items, such as clothes, that you have to pack for the return trip. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
They encouraged us to go out on the town occasionally to practice our language skills outside of the classroom and outside of our host home. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 AP in high school. |
| 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? | You have to go out and talk to the locals. It's the only way to gain any sort of fluency. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | More colloquial ways of expressing day-to-day actions. |
