El Camino de Timothy de Cedar Falls: La Aventura de una Vida Past Review
By A student (Loras College) - abroad from 01/22/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela: Spanish Language Courses and Cross-Cultural Programs
Absolutely it was worthwhile. I made friends from all over the world. I saw differences in my worldview and theirs based on our respective upbringings. I learned about European history and saw the beauty of Spain. I learned what I enjoy and what makes me happy. I grew a lot, even if I am still working on how to transfer what I learned over there to back here, I wouldn´t trade the experience for anything.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically it was not the most challenging. The classes were good and we learned during them, but we didn´t have much homework and exams weren´t too tough. It gave us a lot more time to be involved in the community and do internships, volunteering, traveling, meet locals, so that was good. |
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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? |
Very satisfied with the home-stay. My family was great. |
| * Food: |
I´m a big fan of my host mom´s cooking. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very much like I could be part of the community. I could be friends with locals and really get to know people and the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No issues. |
| * Safety: |
Santiago is really safe. Don´t be a stupid, drunk, American in the streets at night, but you shouldn´t have any issues. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a wonderful experience. I learned a lot of Spanish, made a ton of friends, saw many parts of Spain, and just really enjoyed my life for those 4ish months. |
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) |
Santiago was pretty cheap, cheaper than here. I could have been more frugal, but to a degree you want to see restaurants, travel to different cities, see soccer games. I could have lived cheaper if I wanted to, but I also payed up front for room and board and I guess I´m not including that in this. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 Euro if I wasn´t traveling, but much more if I was traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Nothing like some good old fashioned students loans. But actually, try to fill out applications for grants and scholarships before going over. Once you are there, use Ryan Air or Vueling for flights, take buses or trains if you can, or go on Erasmus trips because they organize them cheap. Buy food at supermarkets instead of eating out. |
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? | SPA 350 |
| 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? | Have friends who don´t speak English. Take advantage of the nightlife. Keep a list of words you don´t know. Review the different verb tenses on your own a few times while you are over there. You won´t focus on grammar in class, just a lot of speech production. And try to be really prepared to go over, the more you know before you go, the better you can take advantage of being there. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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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* 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? | The subjunctive. There are javalins on Monte Pedroso. If you do XC and track, don´t try to increase your weekly mileage too much, you will get injured. |
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. |
