I Fell In Love with San Sebastian Past Review
By Chelsea T (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Florida) for
Universidad de Deusto: Bilbao/ San Sebastian - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I think one of the most rewarding things about traveling is meeting people from all over the world. Even being in a study abroad program with people from different parts of the country was eye-opening. I forced to try to communicate in a language I barely knew with people who didn't know my language much better. It was hard, but very, very, rewarding. I met some of the best people in the world and now have complete confidence in myself that if I can book a train, by myself, in Spanish, I can do anything :)
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. |
It was really interesting to get a completely different point of view of how businesses and governments work - especially in the International Business class. The work load was not too rough, but I felt like there was much more direct and open dialogue between professor and student than in many classes at own university, and they definitely encouraged lots of creative and critical thinking :) |
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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? |
I lived with one other ISA student and my host family, which included a mom and her daughter, a couple years younger than me, and their cat. They had adorable room, complete with bedding and space to store our clothes, for us so we didn't really have to buy anything to settle in. I think we were treated more like guests than family, but that was mostly a function of a language barrier than anything. And by the end, I think the wall definitely broke down a lot, but we definitely would have gotten closer if the program lasted longer and we weren't traveling on the weekends :) |
| * Food: |
Try as many tapas places as you can. Order things you can't pronounce. Buy cheap wine and drink it on the beach. Splurge one night for a nice dinner - I believe there were at least two really, really highly fantastic but $$$$ restaurants there. Eat at the McDonalds once and only once. Enjoy all the food your host family will cook for you :) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The entire trip was the best couple weeks of my life yet. The best excursion was, by far, Toledo. Amazing beautiful city and had SO MUCH FUN bonding with everyone. Within Sanse, the spa was really, really nice - go there. Walk around. Bike around, if you can. It's a really beautiful, chill city. Relax by the park by the university in between classes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | GO! San Sebastian is a beautiful, chill place. It may be on the smaller side, but you really get the best of both worlds - the shopping of a city, a bar scene that might be smaller but you will see familiar faces, easy commute, and chill vibe. And breathtaking beaches! I definitely recommend to anyone going to explore the city as much as you possibly can, and beyond just going out at night. Take time to relax. Meet the locals. Get the most of every minute because it will be over before you know it! |
