Unforgettable amazing experience. Past Review
By Ellen Penn (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 06/01/2016 to 07/28/2016 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
My Spanish skills greatly increased and I learned how to be independent. Worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
Instructors were very good and helpful. Spoke at level for non-native speakers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom gave me the best experience I could have hoped for. She more than welcomed me into her home. |
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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? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
Very safe. I never felt in harm. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The university city is perfect and closet to Madrid for easy access to travel. |
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 unless I traveled in the weekend. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$4000 for 2 months |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving as soon as possible. Ask for money from family members instead of gifts during holidays or birthday. |
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? | 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? | SPAN 0025 conversation |
| 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? | You can't really practice it until you get there. Especially because different Spanish speakers have different accents depending on the region. Also because the instructors at university know to speak slower but native speakers do not speak slow at all. |
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? | How hot it really gets in the summer. Pack less clothing. Bring a small suitcase or weekend bag that is comfortable to carry long distances. |
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. |
