Best 4 months of my life! Past Review
By A student (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/18/2012 with
University of Deusto: International Spanish Center - CIDE
It was worth every penny. I learned so much about myself and how to better apply my academic knowledge to the real world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My classes were interesting but not the most challenging. Most of the professors were very engaging and helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CIDE office in Deusto is awesome and made the whole process very simple |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and I loved it! |
| * Food: |
You have to flexible and open to new things especially when you live in someone else's home |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never really got sick but when I had a cold my host family took great care of me |
| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe in Bilbao. Just be smart and try to not walk alone late at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 a week not including when I took trips |
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 |
I had to speak spanish with my host family and had two classes taught in spanish. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Spanish |
| 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? | Make an effort to make local friends. Hanging out with them is the best way to practice the language and learn the culture |
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?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | That there is nothing to be nervous or worry about and that it is absolutely worth the time and money. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
