Immersed myself in a language with passionate people in an authentic city! Past Review
By Ara Matos (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 02/27/2019 to 01/12/2019 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was worthwhile. I gained the confidence to practice Spanish and not be afraid to mess up, because I am going to and thats okay. It is necessary to learn!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Quality education! Professors were compassionate and patient! They were eager to teach us and the classroom setting was a safe space. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very welcoming and efficient! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our home was sufficient and our host family were incredibly welcoming, nurturing and helpful! |
| * Food: |
LOVED THE FOOD! Whether it was what my host mom cooked or what we ate while traveling, it was authentic and delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated! You are really able to embrace the culture in this structure because it is an authentic setting rather than just a touristy suburb. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
They handled it very well. They were calm and timely to the needs of their students! |
| * Safety: |
Felt safe with company! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes because I feel like I saw and learned as much as I could in that span of time. |
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? | About 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Exchange money BEFORE you leave for your trip. It is a hastle while you are abroad. Banks are not always timely and reliable when communicating overseas. |
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 |
They were constantly reminding us and pushing us to speak more in Spanish. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Do not be afraid to mess up! |
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 much walking you have to do. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
