Spain and Morocco: best one-month straight of my life Past Review

By (Business Administration, University of California - Riverside) for

University of California, Los Angeles: Traveling - History: The Moorish Influence, Spain & Morocco

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to interact with a new country and its ways of living. I was extremely satisfied with everyone on the trip. It was a great learning experience and I cannot wait to one day go back and visit Spain.

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.

We didn't have a host university. It was the American educational system in another country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We had the resources available to get things done. Our professor had immense knowledge about the country since he has been running the same program for over 15 years. The class size was about thirty and my expectations were surpassed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I am a very picky eater and Spain is not known for their food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We went out every single day and did a lot of fun activities. In our program, we walked through what we were learning.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The only concern was theft. However, we were taught to make sure we kept our belongings close and we were fine.

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? Too much: about 1,000 dollars a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The Euro is worth more than the dollar and life just becomes more expensive.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The fact that we were able to go out and see so much of the country.
  • There was a new experience every day.
  • The people on the trip.
* What could be improved?
  • Making the program longer.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This program would benefit every single student. I would highly suggest for a student to participate in this program.