A second language makes you smarter and wiser so quickly Past Review
By Ashley L (Sociology., SUNY - Binghamton) for
SUNY Albany: Madrid - Study Abroad at the International Institute, Madrid
yes, so worthwhile, the most amazing frustrating anxiety ridden, full of laughther experience ive had, i would recommend it to everyone. it makes you grow up and mature and makes you smarter and wiser so quickly...amazing
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2010 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
i think my answer from the previous question answers this question but i will state again, catherine knight and carlos vela are always available and willing to help the students with spanish, post, metro, phones, computers, classes everything- they were incredible |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i lived with a family, very comfortable, strange at first but i enjoyed the experience overall <br /><br /> location was amazing, and the family was helpful |
| * Food: |
food was plenty and warm and delicious |
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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: |
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| 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? | i didnt spend money on food, mostly when i went out with my friends on weekends. between 50 -70 euros a week and thats on the high end |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | watch and limit your spending and if you living with a host family eat with them, it will save you a ton of money, they are always willing to accomdate you, you just need to ask for certain for foods if you want them. for example i wanted yogurt for breakfast, it took me a month to work up the courage to ask if my host family would buy some and my host father laughed at me and said of course and there was yogurt for me for the rest of the semester |
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
i am definately more confident, and i understand much much more than before but my speaking is still low conversational but with practice i should increase, the key is practice |
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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | have an open mind, try as many new foods as possible, know that you are going to make a fool of yourself more than once in one day and just be willing to laugh at yourself and ask for help, speaking another language is hard and frustrating and also so rewarding. when you have a conversation with someone and they understand you and you understand them, its just about the most amazing feeling |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Grammer |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Rosanna |
| Instruction Language: | Spainsh |
| Comments: | Im sorry i dont remember her last name, but she was incredible, patient and willing to cover and answer any and all question we had about the spanish language |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
coloquial |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | juan camacho |
| Instruction Language: | spanish |
| Comments: | incredible, he is brilliant, patient and made the class enjoyable and made everyone participate which is important in a language program |
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