Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Past Review

By (Spanish and Iberian Studies, Loras College) - abroad from 01/05/2015 to 05/12/2015 with

Universidad De Santiago de Compostela: Santiago de Compostela - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Everyone has a different back ground, experience, outlook.. Despite their skin color and language. You need to listen and be ready to take on anything because with an open mind the experience is beyond mind blowing. It is something you will never forget and will never want to comeback home from due to how great it was.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The course pushed your language skills however we were all put together in one big group and many of us were at different levels which was frustrating at times ,, we should be oriented with other Rasmussen kids aka the ones who are exchange kids. There were so many but with our intense schedule for internship and volunteer hours you really didn't get a chance to talk further than introductions

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were all so awesome! Ready to help and answer any questions at any time

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family were and are awesome! They were great, I formed a great relationship with them in which I will continue to keep in contact with

* Food:

I think this depends on your host moms cooking which mine was great

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Through our internship and volunteer sites I felt some what integrated but as I said before there were way too many required hours during the week it was very difficult to just go to a cafe sit and immerse yourself

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Again our admins were readily available and host family if we needed help. I did not experience any health issues

* Safety:

The safety is very safe, sometimes walking at night I felt more safe than I do sometimes in the states

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

With Spain's program it was very easy due to your host family providing meals and such for you, it's up to the individual how much they want to spend and travel

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 15 euros approx
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save more than you think you need cause the money goes a lot faster than you think it will

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

All the time! English was not spoken in Santiago so luckily you had to speak Spanish go get around

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? 350
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • Host family
  • Students I met outside of my program
* What could be improved?
  • Internship volunteer hours
  • How classes are set up
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? how much money I was going to spend

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 Urbanite
A 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.