Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Could have been a lot better. Past Review

By (Construction management, University of Central Missouri) - abroad from 09/09/2014 to 12/16/2014 with

Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Going abroad is life changing. You will never regret your experiences there. The memories you make will last forever. I wouldnt take it back, but there are definitely some things that I would change.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

While the classes were challenging and totally in Spanish, we were segregated from all other Spanish students. Had we been in classes with other Spaniards I believe we all could have benefited more from the experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Disorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a great experience with my host family. Juan and Guadalupe were an amazing family to live with and they had great food too!

* Food:

Always home cooked and really good! If you like spicy food you might be disappointed. Get ready to eat a lot of bread and soups. Very healthy food that gave me energy for the day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt more integrated with my family. With the Alcalá Instituto Franklin program you will only feel integrated into society if you go out to social events or you just stay home with your family. Being segregated from all Spaniards is a huge downfall in my opinion.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

If you get the insurance the health care is great and prescription medicines are very cheap.

* Safety:

Always felt very safe in Alcalá.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Spain is not cheap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100-200 euros a week. Easy to save money if you do nothing and stay at home. But if you want to travel (and you should) it will cost money.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn how to travel cheap from the beginning. Study how to travel and save money. Eat cheap. Go to a grocery store and make sandwiches for a weekend and you will save way more than eating out all the time. Pack light, eat fruits, veggies, and sandwiches. If you go out to a bar drink in a park or somewhere before hand and you will save money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We would lose points if we did not speak the language in class.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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 Conversation II
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 and talk to your host family. If you hang out with Americans you will speak English 95% of the time. Go out of your shell be uncomfortable but it will pay off in the end.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Classes Offered
  • Travel opportunities
  • Hiking Trips
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Structure
  • Integration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That we were going to be segregated from all Spanish students while studying there. Also that there is no place to study late on campus. Library closes around 8 or 9.

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 Adventurer
The 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.