An Unforgettable Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Frank Gaetani (The Catholic University of America) - abroad from 01/22/2017 to 05/26/2017 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
The gift of traveling and encountering new people every day. I gained a lot of independence. Yes it was completely worthwhile. Everyone should do a semester abroad.
Review Photos
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. |
All of the courses I took were intellectually challenging and forced me to learn the Spanish language in an immersing way. All of the teachers were engaging and great at teaching me how to be fluent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administrators were incredible. They made me feel at home and were always available to help and guide me. They helped me reach my fullest potential in Spain. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was more than satisfied. My host family was incredible and was the best part of my study abroad experience. My experience would have been completely different if I had not lived with a host family and I learned the most Spanish and culture living in the home. Everyone should live with a host family while abroad! |
| * Food: |
The food was incredible. I already miss it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
At first I did not feel integrated but after a few weeks I fit in with the culture and really felt like I was walking through my hometown. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was easy to access health care because my host parents helped me/ gave me whatever I needed. |
| * Safety: |
The city was very safe - I never felt in danger or nervous to walk around. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
SOL was incredible. They guided and helped me so much, made me feel at home, helped me reach my fullest potential, and made my dreams of living in Spain everything I wanted it to be and more. |
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) |
Since all meals were covered, I only had to pay for things I needed, therefore I lived on a very minimal budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan out trips. |
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 |
We were always encouraged to use it which is great because that's how I learned it! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 204 |
| 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? | Don't speak English when you're abroad! Always engage in conversation and don't try to be perfect with your Spanish... just SPEAK! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | There is nothing I wish I knew before I started. I believe all of this happened at a perfect time in my college career. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
