Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad at University of Navarra Past Review

By (Communications, Spanish, The University of Texas at Austin) for

Universidad Pública de Navarra: Pamplona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The best thing about studying abroad is that I was able to truthfully experience Spanish culture and my credits will look great when applying for my MBA!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found my communicatiom classes, at times, less challenging than expected simply because they consisted of fundamental lesson plans. ALso I was informed that I wasn't allowed to take a certain television production course because I was only there for 6 months. This was not what I expected from the "Number One Communication School in Spain."

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone in the admin. department was very helpful and went above and beyond their call of duty!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I shared an apartment with another girl from UT! <br /><br /> We actually had another roommate from Pamplona who was very strange but hey, whatever.

* Food:

Ate a lot of tuna and cheese and bread!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I love art and SPain is the place to be for that!!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

n/a

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay somewhere where ALL BILLS are included. That way the DUENO never has the chance to say you spent 100Euro in water and can't change the agreement.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I already received my Bachelors of Arts Degree in Spanish from The University of Texas prior to arriving at this univeristy. I was there to study communications, a degree which I had yet to complete.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Well I actually studied in Basque country where a very high percentage of people spoke Euskera. This was quite a surprise to my ears and eyes! So DO YOUR RESEARCH and think about going south rather than north!

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program is solely intended and will only benefit a journalism or marketing major.. For production you shold go elsewhere.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Espanol B1
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor: Iranzu Pena
Instruction Language: Castellano
Comments: I oved Iranzu!! She was very knowledgable and very cheerful in the morning! She helped me furhter understand the verb HABER!!!
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Global Communication
Course Department: Communiation
Instructor: Arroyo
Instruction Language: English
Comments: LOVED LOVED LOVED this class. We were fortunate enough to be taught by a variety of professors from all over the world on global communication topics. I'll never forget this class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Introduccion de la Produccion

Course Department: Film
Instructor: Cristina Guembe
Instruction Language: Castelano (occasional English)
Comments: This class wasn't what I expected at all. I wanted to get my hands on some equipment and was never given that opportunity! AND we only had access to 4 computers for 30 people!=LAME
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Informacion Tecnologia
Course Department: Periodismo
Instructor: Ramon Salaverria
Instruction Language: Castellano
Comments: This course was organized well and I enjoyed the lab instruction.
Credit Transfer Issues: