Travel More While Studying Abroad! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

You definitely are able to focus more on cultural immersion, traveling, and improving Spanish rather than your grades. However, the program begins with the intensive period (full of Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and verbs), which helps kick start your transition to speaking entirely Spanish. I loved my professor Santiago - he was the best I've ever had and I'd wager to say the best in the university. There are plenty of resources in the form of caring teachers and program leaders who help you with anything you need.

On-site administration of your program

These ladies were phenomenal and I miss them so much! When I was struggling with home sickness (being a performing arts major, I'm used to playing instruments frequently as an outlet and I didn't realize how much I needed that outlet until I lived in a household without a piano!), they did everything they could to help me and make me feel at home - even going so far as to offer my their personal guitar! This feeling of homesickness passed quickly once I started traveling and getting wrapped up in my studies, but they were there when I needed them and that's the most important part!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The only reason I kept this from being a full 5 stars was because I'm very cold-natured and the first couple months, my room was quite cold due to European houses generally lacking central heating and I think that's something worth noting to people studying abroad (bring warm clothes!). However, I LOVED my host family! My host mom was feisty and wonderful. Since she was originally from northern Spain and had hosted so many different people from all over the world before, she and I had some pretty amazing conversations about culture and her experiences. I miss her so much (not to mention her tortilla and paella!) and I really hope to visit again some day.

Paella. Spanish tortilla. Jamon iberico. Tapas and pinxos. Kebab. Toast and olive oil. Cupcakes and Canada Cafe. I had some of the best food of my life in Spain! I've tried to reproduce it, but nothing can beat authentic made-in-Spain mediterranean food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

One day, someone came up and asked me for directions in my host city in Spanish and I could answer them without a hesitation! It was an amazing milestone for me. I knew where everything was, where to get the best tea, where to find free wifi, when the best time to go to the beach was. I felt like a true Alicantina.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A couple times I got a cold during my stay abroad and it was immediately and easily treated just a few blocks from my host family's place. I did use the on campus office once and one of the ladies from my program walked me there to make sure I knew where it was and checked in to make sure I was feeling better. When I first landed, the time change had an adverse effect on my stomach and I received a phone call from the director of the program to check in and welcome me to Spain. It was really an easy access health system with tons of supportive and caring people.

There were many times I would have a 6am train (the sun didn't usually rise until 8ish) to go on some adventure and I would leave my house alone in the dark with a heavy backpack and walk several blocks alone to the train station. I never felt unsafe. Nobody every bothered me and I never had any issues during all of my travels through 14 countries and 40 cities abroad.

It is short, but you learn everything you could need! It immerses you. The teachers are wonderful as are the host families. Alicante is in a great location for travel.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was able to save up $4000 before I left. I traveled to 40 cities across 14 countries and was able to pay for it all myself. Host families give you 3 meals a day, so students would meet up between meals and be sure to go back home for dinner, then go back out to save money (and have a delicious meal!)

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

After the intensive period, we were required to only speak in Spanish in front of anyone in the program (excluding our friends when not in the presence of directors of the program or host families).

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• class rotation
• excursions (especially local)
• accessibility

• more trips
• recommendations to local hostals
• longer intensive period