The hardest thing about studying abroad is saying goodbyes Past Review
By Quan N Nguyen (West Texas A&M University) - abroad from 07/29/2017 to 12/21/2017 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned who I am as a person, I grew in ways that I couldn't imagine before the trip. I became a more social person. Everyone knew me and that would help with connecting other groups with other groups.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
There are no complaints at all regarding my host mother. She was hands down the most caring individual and most patient person I ever met. She helped me when times seemed down and she was always there time make everything better. |
| * Food: |
I had a chef/host mom |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never did I feel unsafe, even walking home alone at 4AM |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Everything happens for a reason, during my study abroad experience, I connected people and brought my energy and love. I had a direct influence and impact on peoples lives, that's why I would stay with the same program. |
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? | 100-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you plan to travel, book trips, accommodations, flights and transportation first. After all that is finished, everything you have left over is yours to spend. Have fun and be boujee but dont be broke. |
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 |
Every day |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | intermediate Spanish but barely |
| 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? | Make local friends |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How fast money goes |
