The Greatest Month of My Life! Past Review
By Carley M (Communications, Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 07/01/2014 to 08/01/2014 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
During this experience abroad I was able to learn about another culture that was completely different from the one I have known and grown up to. This experience opened my eyes to different ways of life and how uniquely diverse each culture is. This was more than worthwhile and I would do it again all over in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was challenging in the best ways possible. My spanish improved so much in during the program. The teachers were extremely helpful and really made sure I understood the material. All of my questions about anything were answered and my overall academic learning experience was wonderful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program administrator was always available and able to provide assistance at any time throughout the entire program. I felt very comfortable being in a foreign country knowing I had a reliable administrator. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved living with a host family. My host spanish host mom always made sure that I was taken care of. My living conditions were incredible. My host mother cooked amazing food and provided all of the necessities for living and more! The housing was beyond what I could have asked for! |
| * Food: |
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were provided every day. And not just any breakfast, lunch, and dinner I might add- a delicious spanish cuisine seemed to be in front of me at all times. The food was healthy and wonderfully filling. It was one of my favorite parts about living in Spain. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family and interacting with local Spaniards everyday made me feel like I was well integrated with the Spanish culture. Being able to eat, speak, live, and learn like the Spaniards do made it easy to feel as though I was part of the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with the health care program. |
| * Safety: |
Granada seemed to be a very safe city. I never felt like I was in danger or anything of the sort. I had no safety related incidents. |
| 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 spent less than $100 dollars each week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would say conserve your money and spend it on thinks that you really want or think necessary. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 102 |
| 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? | To try to use what you learn in class throughout the day. It makes it easier to learn and absorb the information. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | That this was going to be an unforgettable experience! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Curso Intensivo de Lengua Española |
| Course Department: | Centro de Lenguas Modernas |
| Instructor: | Dolores, Ángeles |
| Instruction Language: | Español |
| Comments: | The teachers made the course challenging and were well organized. I was very impressed by how much I learned during this course. I participated in class more here than at home because the professors wanted student interaction and encouraged it. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I don't think that it has transferred yet. |
