Spain: The Cultural Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Katie P (Secondary English Education, SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I improved on my Spanish speaking skills, met amazing friends, and had an amazing experience.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Intermediate Spanish 1 & 2 and Spanish Culture and Civilization |
| 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. |
Heavy workload with a summer course condensed into 4 weeks. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were treated very well. |
| * Food: |
Diverse options |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the extra activities like going to see a Bullfight and Flamenco dancing that they told us about. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The only time I did not feel safe was in the Metro stations at night. |
| 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 $2,000 while I was there but I did a lot of shopping for myself and others so another student could get by on a much cheaper budget. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You have to pay for meals/entries to museums and stuff on the tours that are included from the beginning. |
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 wish there was more time spent out of class to interact with locals, that was the best way to learn the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be open-minded to new experiences. |
