Past Review
By Feather (Accounting, New Mexico State University) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Studying abroad was wonderful giving me the experience to traveling out of the United States and live in another persons shoes for a month. I also began to appreciate what i have. Once you do it you'll understand.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educational experience I received in Ronda, Spain was wonderful. Being able to live in a small town setting for a month really help me to improve my Spanish. Also staying with a host family who only spoke Spanish really helped, because if forced me to speak Spanish. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
N/A |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My friend and I stayed with a Host family, it was only about a fifteen minute walk away from school, it was very nice. |
| * Food: |
What can I say? the food was very different, i loved the salads and ice cream. If your a fish eater be careful because the fish they have is very different and they might cook it a different way (raw). One time we ate at this place, i ordered fish and it was loaded with tiny needle sized bones, and the waitress asked if i wanted her to take the head off before serving it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved Spain, the only problem is the men. Girls be prepared. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I was lucky and found an area to eat where food and beverages were only a Euro. It's perfect for travelers who are low on cash, or if you plan to save your cash for souvenirs. Planning ahead is always the key to traveling. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
When I first arrived to Spain my vocabulary probably consisted of 20 words. I would have been lost with out my friend who traveled along with me. By the time I left to head back to the States, my vocabulary improved so much and now i am able to understand conversions which were previously foreign to me. |
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Just plan ahead, make sure to have extra money in case you need it. In the last week you start winding down on unexpected events. You might want to venture off somewhere you hadn't planned or visit a site you didn't intend on, so always be prepared for the unexpected. |
