Amazing Experience in Spain with SPI Past Review
By Jeremy G (University of Utah) - abroad from 06/01/2004 to 07/03/2004 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
As an adult in the working world now, I use the skills from my study abroad experiences every single day. Study abroad truly changed my life and I am now learning French to become trilingual. It is the best investment my parents ever made in my education.
Review Photos
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. |
If anyone asks when and where I got my base in the Spanish language, it was on this program in Spain with SPI. The professors at the University of Cantabria were top-notch. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was so helpful, reassuring, and there when we needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I still keep in touch with my lovely homestay mother in Spain, Veronica. She sends me photos of their family at Christmas each year. |
| * Food: |
I had an AMAZING cook for a Sra. on both of my SPI experiences in Spain. In Santander, they even made us a quesada which is a typical Cantabrian sweet (sort of like cheesecake.) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Santander always felt like a true immersion destination in Spain. English was virtually not used during the program. After a couple weeks, I felt like I knew the city and understood Spanish culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health problems, but those that got "ill" received good treatment in the clinics. |
| * Safety: |
Spain is a very, very safe country overall. Santander and San Sebastian all felt very safe to explore/walk around in the evenings as well. |
| 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? | Make a budget before you leave and stick to it. |
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 |
A+ aspect of the SPI program. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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 3 |
| 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? | Step out of your "group" comfort zone and talk to local people to practice. |
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? |
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? | I wish I had stayed for a longer period of time. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
