Spain: A Great Experience! Past Review
By Lauren D (Spanish Language Teacher Education., SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
This program was worthwhile. It has made me want to continue to persue a career in Spanish Education.
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. |
The work load was a good amount for the amount of time that we spent in the country. It gave me the ablity to work on the language as well as experience the culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Program Administration did a great job in preparing me for the trip. They kept in contact through regular emails and whenever I had a question they were only a phone call away. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a safe area and the people running the dorm were friendly and helpful. |
| * Food: |
The meals were okay... I wish they had more options for breakfast (such as scrabbled eggs and bacon). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went to Toledo which was amazing... it was my favorite place in Spain. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt extremly safe in Spain. |
| 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? | $40.00 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Watch how much you take out of the ATM's because it is better to take out bigger amounts than many small amounts. They charge alot to take out 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? |
I spoke Spanish with the people that worked in the school, in stores, on the street, with my profesor and basically anywhere I needed to communicate. I did use the host countries language in everyday interactions. People would speak Spanish but if I needed help they would try to use English. |
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? | This is a great program for someone who wants to get a taste for the culture without spending an entire semester abroad. |
