Spain: An Incredibly Enriching Experience Past Review
By Arden C (Studio Arts, Hollins University) for
SSA Education Abroad: Seville - Semester, Year or Summer in Seville
YES!!! My mind was in stretched in ways I did not know possible, and the experiences that stretched it I will remember for the rest of my life. Adapting to a different way of life was so good for me; I truly don't think I could enter adulthood with such confidence without this experience.
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. |
education system generally based more on memorization than critical thinking and discussion |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: helping students out with personal problems (ie, health issues), being flexible, promoting independence Weaknesses: Organization, professionalism, providing students with adequate emotional health resources for adjustment, listening |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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: |
I got to know Spain's health system very, very well and was largely satisfied although they do not quite keep up US standards of cleanliness |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The institution attempted to get students to speak in Spanish, but they generally failed at that task. It was so frustrating that I consciously had to choose learning the language over developing friendships with many of the students because I had no interest in speaking interest. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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