My home away from home, so full of wisdom and love Past Review
By Deanna F (Acting., Pace University) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Definitely. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. I want to travel, live, work, spend much more time in Spain when I am older and more financially stable.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Things weren't too different from classes here. I had homework almost every night in some of my classes, there was a final, a project, and lots of class discussion and activities |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program administration was great. Everyone was very helpful and open and they LOVED when we asked questions. My group leader was always in contact with all of us and we were never worried about missing anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely LOVED my housing situation. My host family was amazing and helpful and they made me feel right at home from the moment I got there. I felt safe in the neighborhood and we lived close to everything. My two host siblings never minded going out and showing us the city and my host mom was extremely gracious. I miss them all very much. |
| * Food: |
Go to any Tapas bar. For just 2 Euro, you get a drink and a meal. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The city is full of culture and lots to do and see. And it was easy to jump on a bus to visit other towns as well. One of my favorite trips was when the group went to visit the Alhambra and I also loved when we visited the town and beach of Nerja. Both places were beautiful and I couldn't see those places here in the U.S. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't feel any less safe than I do when I'm at school in NY. My host family advised that I carry my purse where I can see it and take necessary (common sense) precautions if i was ever walking in the street alone at night, but I didn't do anything more than I do at home. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't spend much money on food because I ate at home with my family. The most money I spent was on souvenirs to bring back to the states. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I don't really have any advice. The US dollar is worth less than the Euro, however things are generally a lot cheaper in Spain. And in August, EVERYTHING is on sale. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 284 - Composition |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish EVERYWHERE. With my host family, in my classes, in the city, and with my program group |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Choose Sol! |
