Past Review
By Lisa T (Communications & Spanish, SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes, I loved the experience. I learned a lot of Spanish, got to experience a new culture, and met a bunch of amazing people.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
programs were more organized in Malaga rather than in Madrid |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Colegio Mayor Mara, way too hot. <br /><br /> It was too hot, and we had to take a metro to everywhere we wanted to go, it would have been nicer to be more centrally located in the city. |
| * Food: |
there was not enough selection at all, not enough chicken, they should have at least had cereal and fruit at breakfast every morning. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed most going out for tapas and and seeing the city |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
i never felt unsafe while in spain, I didn't need healthcare, but from what I saw adequate healthcare was provided for students who needed it |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't keep track |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | you spend a lot of money, moreso than expected |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I would have liked if there were more native speakers that I could converse with on a regular basis, and more immersion. Most people spoke English if I needed them to, but I only used Spanish if we went to a restaurant or when we went out at night. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | students not at a top level of spanish proficiency, i think i was at just the right level |
