I learned Spanish Past Review
By Gina Monahan (Temple University) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 05/21/2017 with
Temple University International Programs: Oviedo - University of Oviedo
I gained a second language. It was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything was in Spanish and we were really exposed. We were in an area where not many people speak english so we really had to use it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Spain is a little different when it comes to administration. It was a little bit difficult to adjust, but we had a Temple Representative that guided us through everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did have to switch host families, but my second one was amazing. |
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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: |
It is literally the cleanest city in spain and also one of the safest. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although it was not Barcelona or Madrid, I learned way more Spanish than I would have anywhere else. It is very difficult to escape english and the people that want to learn and practice it. |
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? | $5.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not waste money on drinks, food etc. Save the money for when you really want to try something. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Conversational Review |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You really have to try to speak. You will mess up and it is important to get that out of the way. Also, listen to the people on the streets talking and copy them. Learn the interjections, it will help your fluency. |
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? | I wish I knew bad words. I know that sounds weird, but they are not taught in school so when we hear or encounter them it is very awkward. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
