From Shy to Fluent Past Review
By Michelle S (College of Notre Dame of Maryland) - abroad from 01/06/2009 to 05/06/2009 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
It was very much worthwhile! I made friends that have lasted until today. I am now able to translate for Asylum victims at the local Detainee Prison. I am so much more confident in my abilities. I could not recommend this program any more highly.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
After speaking with advisors I was placed in classes that truly pushed me to become comfortable with my spanish language abilities while simultaneously teaching me about european economics and other substantive subjects. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Whenever I needed anything I not only was encouraged to seek out the administration but I was actually comfortable in doing so. It was amazing to have the ability to form not only a pupil/administrator bond but also a bond that holds strong until this day, over four years later. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I could not have asked for a better family. I felt like I was a true part of the family. I watched the diverse soccer matches with my host father and learned to cook with my host mother. For the first time I had two brothers (i come from a family of three girls). Not only was I comfortable with my host family but I became part of the family. They included me in special events, travels, and even live soccer matches cheering on Atleti! I still keep up to date with my family and speak quite often with them! |
| * Food: |
I love food and Alcala did not let me down. For the first time I was introduced to Tapas. A beautiful tradition that I still partake in and even introduced my Fiancé to! The home cooked meals from my host mother still have me watering at the mouth for more. I cannot speak more highly of the adventure in food that I was able to encounter from Barcelona to Malaga! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You could not ask for a better immersion program. I arrived in Spain as a shy girl who only felt comfortable speaking english or portuguese with her parents. After this program I felt like a Spaniard. I could comfortably walk into any type of establishment and not only interact with natives but be relaxed enough to enjoy the experience. Never have I experienced such a change in myself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I cannot answer this question fully, I did not experience any healthcare issues. I will say that the process of obtaining my healthcare coverage was super simple and affordable! |
| * Safety: |
I never felt as though I was in danger. The key to this sense of security I believe came from the orientation. We were told what the do's and don'ts, what to look out for, and how to navigate safely. |
| 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) |
Not once did I feel like I needed more money or felt like I could not do certain things due to my budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It was a fairly long time ago and I do not recall. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you know what you truly want to do. Visit a certain city, stay at hostels, stay at hotels, go to a soccer match, etc. Then make sure that you budget for those things. You don't want to leave with regrets but you also do not want to go broke! |
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 |
What I loved about this program is that it was total immersion. All of our classes, language or not, were taught solely in Spanish. My home life was also an english free environment. I think that is the best method, especially for students who truly want to learn the language and culture. |
| 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? | I got a 5 on my Spanish AP exam and had fulfilled almost all of my courses for my Spanish language major. |
| 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? | Befriend other students and befriend locals. Go out! Go out!! Participate in the meet and greets that the school provides. There you will meet many locals and perhaps even a language partner that will help you and teach you. I know it might sound corny to have a language partner, but they aren't just there to talk to, they show you what it is like to be a spaniard and it 100% enhances your experience! |
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? | Cherish every single moment. It was the best time of my life! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
