"No pasa nada" Past Review
By Jake C (International Business/Spanish, University of Missouri - Columbia) - abroad from 01/04/2013 to 06/15/2013 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I gained many friendships, travel experience, the proficiency of a foreign language, and memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.
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. |
This was the most fun adventure I have ever been on in my life. I learned so much about the Spanish culture and language while expanding my network on an international level. I recommend studying abroad to all students because you will probably never have another opportunity to do it in your lifetime. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I only had one class at the University of Alicante but this was the class where I excelled in the Spanish language the most. My teacher, Santiago, ran a class based on more conversation than book work which really improved my proficiency. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family were the sweetest people I have ever met. They made me feel at home and they helped me improve my Spanish speaking skills also. If I was ever late with a payment they would understand and bring up the topic gently. I still keep in contact with them today and I love speaking with them and hearing what they are up to. |
| * Food: |
All the food is amazing but I give it 4 stars instead of 5 because I love spicy food and it is non existent in Spain. I recommend for you to try the seafood paella, tortilla patata, and the famous tapas restaurants you will see on every corner. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I kind of look like a Spaniard in the first place so i didn't have a problem fitting in until I opened my mouth but I made so many new friends while abroad. I have a place to stay pretty much anywhere in the world if I would need to because I have met so many people of different nationalities. The local culture in my opinion is more exciting than most America culture. I like to go out and enjoy the night life and it is just absolutely crazy there. Spaniards even leave work during the day and take 3 hour naps! Who couldn't get used to that? The lifestyle of "no worries" (no pasa nada) is definitely one that I have integrated into my life here in the USA. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was never sick or injured so i did not use health care. |
| * Safety: |
The streets are completely safe for men but if you are a woman make sure you DO NOT walk home by yourself at night. Walk home in groups of girls or have a man in your group walk you home. |
| 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) |
You definitely need to budget your money while abroad. I spent a lot of money because the exchange rate was so high at the time and I was traveling everywhere but budgeting is possible. If you don't have the money for living expenses, then move out and rent a flat. They are much cheaper but just make sure you move in with people who speak Spanish otherwise you will not use you skills. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy bread, lunch meat, and pasta then live off of that. |
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 |
I was always using Spanish because I lived with my host family the whole time and they didn't know English. I also made a lot of Spanish speaking friends. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Spanish 3160 Advanced Spanish Composition |
| 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? | Stay with your host family as long as possible. If you don't like your host family, then move out with Spanish friends. If you don't have Spanish friends, make some. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | The exact amount of money I was going to spend because I spent a lot of money. So many people in Europe know English and it is hard to get away from so make sure you do a good job at focusing just on Spanish. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary Spanish Society |
| Course Department: | ALI Abroad |
| Instructor: | Dr. Armando Miguelez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This was my favorite class while abroad. I learned so much about Spanish society and culture but I liked the class the most because of the instructor. Dr. Armando Miguelez is one of the best instructors I have ever had. He is an encyclopedia of information and I learned many things from during my six months abroad. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
