amazing beautiful crazy irreplaceable time in my life. Past Review

By (Journalism., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/23/2012 to 12/22/2012 with

Universidad Pública de Navarra: Pamplona - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
everything was worthwhile; i learned that i love the european lifestyle and would love to live there. not to mention, all people are essentially the same all over the globe.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? yes, if you want to gain real cultural experiences, don't blow your money on drinking and club entrances. bus passes to nearby historical towns are affordable if you budget yourself wisely and don't waste your money on overpriced beer.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? flueny
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? live with locals; take classes for non-exchange students.

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • people
  • scenery
  • lifestyle
* What could be improved?
  • course credit transferability
  • more defined schedule from the beginning
  • supplementary information about the partnering university.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that the journalism classes are extremely different from what i'm used to in the u.s.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'