Life Changing: Wouldn't take it back Past Review
By Nicole Cepeda (Milton Academy) - abroad from 07/02/2019 to 07/30/2019 with
The Experiment: Leadership Institute - Spanish Language & Community Engagement in Spain
I was admittedly super nervous about making solid friendships, but I genuinely did not have to fear. I made such great memories with my peers exploring spain and practicing our language skills with each other. I definitely have become more confident because of the comfort and support i felt during my trip.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had such an amazing time and the immersion was unmatched, though the rigor could have been more intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They worked really hard and were very involved with us while in country. We got to know them as well which was great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host family was SO sweet but a bit too busy. Thankfully, there were opportunities to make good relationships with my peers and their host family. That aside, the hotels were great! |
| * Food: |
The food was always tasty but at times redundant (such as in the hotel). I did try a ton of new foods and wouldn't take that back for anything! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had many opportunities to explore and speak with locals, and truly figure out the ins and outs of Granada and Guadix. Having free time was one of the greatest points as we were able to live like locals and walk around and find fun points in the towns. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe and supported. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had the best month of my life. The spanish immersion was incredible and I would definitely take the opportunity to do it again. I made so many friends in spain, and the experience having such a supportive group of americans and group leaders really made me feel so welcome and i truly had fun the whole time. |
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) |
It was VERY easy to not spend money on the trip, though I did buy a lot of clothes and souvenirs, personally. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy things that you will use! Careful with impulse buying. |
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 |
There was a support with speaking spanish,though there could have been more done to ensure that we spoke spanish more amongst the americans. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Spanish 3 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 I didn't have to worry because it was the greatest. |
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. |
