Everything is different! Past Review
By Jacque C (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., New Mexico State University) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I loved being here in Spain, i wish i would have had more time here to learn more spanish and travel more, Thinking about the future i can use what i have learned to communicate with more people. I also have a new interest to help people learn another language as well.
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. |
i wish we could have covered more in the short time we had, however i feel like i have a better foundation to learn spanish in the future. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had a little trouble finding out the things i needed to know (like who my host family was, where to go and how to get there) on time, as well as contacting the offices when my travel plans changed drastically. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My Host family were very nice and accommodating, i had my own toiletries and towels. They had wireless internet for my labtop. I had expected to help around the house and clean, but my host mom would hear non of it. so i just settled for always keeping things nice and tidy in my room and bathroom. I think of myself as more of a guest than a member of the family. |
| * Food: |
Expect a small breakfast (mostly some bread and jame or bread and oil , etc.) and a huge meal for lunch. that is there inner and they expect you to eat everything off your plate and maybe more. there is usually three parts, salad, main dish (carbs and meat with lots of oil) and a fruit for desert. Its different from the states, and if you have any dislikes likes or certain foods that you can't eat make sure to emphasis it on your application. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With trips to surrounding town with my friends, shopping, going to the pool, hiking, watching Spain at the world cup with the locals in bars, traveling to several other countries, I will take back a lot of memories and friends galore. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
we were lucky this summer to have no health problems occur, safety wise Ronda is a very nice town and i never worried about my safety or my friends safety at all. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you travel outside of Spain expect prices to go up higher and situations to occur where you will need more money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who is looking to improve their spanish, or have a deeper understanding as well as experience going to another country that has different cultural backgrounds would fit in perfectly. |
