An Amazing Spanish Experience! Past Review
By Jennifer E (Spanish Language and Literature., SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
My study abroad experience was worthwhile. I gained a lot of knowledge of the cultural differences between the USA and Spain.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Madrid |
| 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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The first 2 weeks I lived in a hotel (Hotel Natali) and the last 4 weeks I lived in a dorm (Mara) in Madrid run by Spanish nuns. <br /><br /> The dorm and hotel were in safe areas of Spain. |
| * Food: |
I did not like any of the food the whole 6 weeks I was there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I really liked how we traveled to a lot of different cities around Malaga in the first 2 weeks. One day we all went to Ronda for class outside! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | $150/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Write down everything you spend your money on and check your bank account online regularly. |
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? |
I improved my Spanish language skills by communicating with the Spanish nuns at the University and by speaking Spanish in public. I spoke Spanish everyday because not many people spoke English. |
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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* Who did you take classes 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? | I think the students that would benefit most from this program are those who are majoring or minoring in Spanish. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Poetry of Garcia Lorca |
| Course Department: | Spanish 400 |
| Instructor: | Vanessa |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was difficult and required lots of work out of the classroom. It was very important to manage time well in order to complete all of the assignments and prepare the oral presentation. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Art |
| Course Department: | Spanish 400 |
| Instructor: | David Darst |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was very interesting and the museum visits were a nice break from the usual classroom instruction. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Conversation Business Content |
| Course Department: | Spanish 400 |
| Instructor: | Antonio Sobejano |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was very useful and I learned a lot of new Spanish vocabulary in the field of business. Sobejano is a very well-educated professor and extremely friendly and helpful. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
