Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Paella, Beaches, and Good Looking People? OH MY! Past Review

By (Business - Hospitality, Salem State College) - abroad from 05/31/2014 to 08/01/2014 with

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I am much stronger mentally and emotionally than I give myself credit for! I learned how much I love immersing myself in another culture, and learning about different people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

German was super responsive to any concerns I had regarding my academics or more places to go around the city! A.K.A cheap and fun!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a roommate from the states and a host family. Everyone was nice, but I enjoy having space to myself sometimes and I thought it was going to be me and the host family. However, it turned out better than I expected because I had another person going through the same living experience that I was!

* Food:

I love paella now. I was able to try foods different from home, even though I live in a spanish speaking household. There were some foods that did not sit well with me, but for the most part everything was good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

After a while I felt comfortable walking around in the city alone and exploring, I even had favorite spot in the city to eat and relax.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? On food I spent about 30 Euros if I went out with friends, or grabbed lunch instead of going home.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? PRIORITIZE. Do you want to travel to a different city/country while abroad or buy that meal that won't change your life quite as much.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I am a native spanish speaker, but I needed to work on my grammar and conversation skills.
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? Talk to your host family in the native language. They know you are not fluent and that you are there to learn so practice with them. ESPECIALLY during dinner! Talk to your other friends or people you meet in your program in the native language regardless if they respond in english, you are there to better your skills!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The excursions
  • The kind staff
  • The friends I made
* What could be improved?
  • Communicating that if you are doing two summer sessions you don't get to participate in the second month's excursions.
  • Enforcing students to speak spanish more often!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That we weren't going to be able to participate in all of the excursions the second month if we had been there since the first month. I though I paid for both.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.