Memorable and enjoyable! This trip initiated a desire to travel more. Past Review
By William J (Hospitality Administration/Management., Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 07/12/2014 to 08/12/2014 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Spanish Language and Culture in Madrid, Spain
Better perspective on the world. It was worth i.
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. |
Very intense learning, quick run through of a lot of material. My conversation and understanding of Spanish increased greatly but the culture class was difficult because it was so crammed and difficult to comprehend all of the dates and material. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very nice and helpful people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed the lady they set me up with. It was only her and her son but they were both good people and she always cooked a lot and accommodated tot needs |
| * Food: |
I really enjoyed the food especially all the Tapas bars! Only thing I missed was spicy food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Took the train every day and lived right smack in the middle of a regular Spanish neighborhood so I felt very integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had no safety issues. I felt safer than many places in the United States. |
| 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? | $800 |
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 |
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| 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? | Spanish 4 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | Bring your own sunscreen because it is expensive in Spain. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
