Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience of my life Past Review

By (University of Wisconsin - Whitewater) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/26/2018 with

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned what it is like to be the minority in a culture, and now I have all the respect and patience in the world for anyone in the States whose first language is not English. My culture competence has grown, and I am able to say that I am about 90% fluent in Spanish now. (I would need more time to be 100%--your ears have to adjust more!).

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought the educational opportunities and the academics were amazing--Granada's Center for Modern Languages is absolutely wonderful.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought the advisors did a great job in responding to every little question we had in a very timely manner.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I absolutely LOVED my host family. They are now my second family, I talk to them weekly, and I have plans to visit. :)

* Food:

The food was amazing--and this was partly due to my amazing host family experience--she even took requests on some foods we wanted!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was definitely reminded daily that I was the minority there, which was great for my advancement in the language and my overall cultural competence. However, I do wish I was pushed to speak with natives more.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

i did not have any health experiences

* Safety:

I thought the city was very safe--for a city. It must be noted that normal precautions should always be made (don't walk alone at night, etc.), but compared to other cities in Spain I went to, this one felt the most safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I LOVED my host family and would want to return to them.

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)

I tried to spend only $100 a week, but at times that was hard, especially because of all the experiences you want to be having in your time abroad (even in the city). Always save up more than you think you will need.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-150 (not including my travel weeks)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not spend as much as you want to in the beginning. Even if you have a planned budget and you think it will work, take your weekly allowance and decrease it for the first couple of weeks. Travel incidents happen more often than you think, and you will be happy to have the extra money later.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I was encouraged to use it always--my host family did not speak any English and I spent most my time with them.

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? 300 level literature
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? Do not just hang out with your American, English-speaking friends from your program. Go out and meet native Spanish speakers. If you find this hard, force you and your American friends to speak Spanish always.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • My Family
* What could be improved?
  • Excursions (more of them)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? At the end of the day, we're all just humans trying to make the best lives we can for ourselves--so treat everyone with respect and take the time to get to know everyone and their story and culture. (Also to speak the new language as much as possible).

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 Urbanite
A 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.