Best experience of my life! Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., 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
I learned so much on the trip and i maybe so many new friends. I saw things i only saw in textbooks and other things i thought i would never see. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were tougher than I thought and that I would've liked. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I fell in love with everyone in that house. My family was the best. I loved the other students who were staying there too. I still talk to my host family. |
| * Food: |
The country is BEAUTIFUL and it has BEAUTIFUL people, but the food is a different story. It isn't terrible, but I won't trade it for my American food. My family's cooking was the best. oh and eating out is EXPENSIVE. |
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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: |
Super safe. we stayed out all night long and walked around 5am without a worry in the world. |
| 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? | Easily around 150 Euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | SELF CONTROL. Don't eat out if you can avoid it. eat at home, your family cooks for you. if you don't need it dont buy it. if you see souvenirs, keeping looking you might find it cheaper, don't but the first thing you see. |
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? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 303 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | When you go out, ask the locals questions. for example the waiters, taxi drivers, people walking down the street, your family, anything, PRACTICE. I know it could be hard to practice with friends, but really try. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | That the classes would be so hard. |
