Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Experience of a Lifetime Past Review

By (History and English, 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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The trip was worthwhile! I had been wanting to visit Spain for about 7 years now and it was exactly what I had hoped. I loved living with a host family, and I miss my host mother to this day. At times it did get very difficult to constantly speak the language, and the locals were more than willing to help! I loved Spain and I would go back again, but definitely this time for leisure.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $80

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 231
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The friends made on the trip
  • The Culture
  • Madrid
* What could be improved?
  • Communication among the group
  • Scheduling the activities to be more spaced out and not all in the beginning or end of the trip
  • More of a variety of activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had studied my vocab more before I had left. If you don't know your vocabulary, you will struggle. This is why practicing is so important while you are there!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'