Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By Randi Eberley (Southern Utah University) - abroad from 05/03/2017 to 05/18/2017 with
SUU: Psychology in Spain
I made so many close friends, improved upon my Spanish, learned a lot about a foreign culture, experienced wonderful food, and improved my cardio.
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. |
We chose to do classes before we left for Spain in order to be able to more fully experience the culture instead of spending time in a classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We met with the professors regularly to discuss Psychology and how different subjects applied to our trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We stayed in a variety of locations such as apartments and hotels. Each place had its ups and downs. The wifi was questionable at most locations which was disappointing because it made communication with my family difficult. The beds were also almost exclusively twin sized which wouldn't be a problem if I wasn't traveling with my fiancé. Not being able to sleep in the same bed was a strange experience. |
| * Food: |
We provided our own meals which meant we got to eat where we wanted. This was WONDERFUL as we had some phenomenal meals at a variety of places. We got to fully experience Spain's cuisine at our own pace. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I know just enough Spanish to understand basic conversation, it would have been better if I was fluent but it was very satisfying being able to understand what I could. I would be cautious if you are completely unfamiliar with the host country's language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I experienced no health issues but my fiancé had severe allergies. We visited a local pharmacy and the pharmacist gave us some medication that really helped him. |
| * Safety: |
Everyone was physically safe but a few people were pickpocketted, this is something to be aware of. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This was a phenomenal experience, I wish I could relive this trip a million times over. |
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) |
I saved a few hundred dollars for this trip and was able to purchase everything I needed very comfortably, 2 |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200+/week, we spent money very liberally though |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you save more than you think you'll need and do not keep all your money on you in case something happens. |
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 |
Professors frequently explained words and their meanings in both English and Spanish |
| 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? | 2 years of Spanish in high school |
| 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? | Make friends with those who are fluent. |
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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| 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? | I wish I had prepared my feet! I was not prepared for how badly my feet would hurt from all the walking. I didn't list this as something that could be improved upon because it is a fault of my own and I wouldn't want the program to change the amount of places seen. I also wish I would have understood what a Siesta was more before we left, many stores were closed during the middle of the day and there was nothing to see during that time. |
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. |
