The best thing I have ever done Past Review
By A student (Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General., Arizona State University) - abroad from 09/02/2012 to 11/22/2013 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned how much I really appreciate both my country and other countries and cultures. Now I have travel fever and can't wait to go see more of the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more being abroad then I have in any other semester in college. Most of the learning was done outside of class on trips with my program director or at my host family's parties. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were the most amazing program directors I could ever ask for. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family and everything about where I lived, I couldn't have asked for a more compatible person to live with. She was the best. |
| * Food: |
I'm a little picky about food, but my host family was really nice about accommodating me and cooking things only that I like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Within the first few weeks I honestly felt like I was at home in Alicante and I loved everything about it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I can't really comment on this because I didn't have any health problems but I'm certain that if something would have happened I would have been completely taken care of by both my host family and my program directors. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment that I felt unsafe in Alicante. I would go for late night runs or walk home alone late at night and I was always completely safe. |
| 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) |
I spent a lot of money while being abroad but I expected to do so and had saved up for it for a long time. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use Bus2Alps to book any trips, and try to avoid eating out unless you are traveling because you have already paid for your host family to cook every meal for you. |
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 |
Our directors used Spanish with us pretty much at all times and all of our classes were pretty much completely in Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 314 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to speak and make mistakes and just try to speak the language. My host family would sometimes laugh at me and then I would just laugh too because they would correct me an explain what I had just said. It actually ends up being a really good time. Also, try to make friends with the locals. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That shopping abroad is a lot of fun and I wish I didn't bring so many clothes and random things from home so I could have shopped more. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
