Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My time in Madrid and France Past Review

By (Placeholder, SUNY - Binghamton) for

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, of course it was! For me, it was perfect (for the reasons listed above).

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Placeholder text for a required field.

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would not choose this as your first study abroad experience *for students looking to really become fluent in the language in which they'd be studying abroad*. I first traveled to Spain (to study Spanish) when I was 16 and lived with a host family and studied Spanish with international students; this atmosphere forced me to learn, write, speak, understand and comprehend the language at a level that is necessary for any person looking to become fluent. As a second trip, this was fine because I got the best of both worlds (feeling comfortable with American students who also speak English yet also being able to interact with natives, applying my previous exposure).