Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Management Information Systems, The University of Texas at Austin) for

University of Deusto: International Spanish Center - CIDE

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, the experience is definitely worth the money and the time. Simply the experience of getting out and seeing the world changes your perspective on many different things.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was great. All of the staff members were very helpful at all times.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in an apartment in Leioa, which is about 10 miles outside of Bilbao. <br /><br /> The family I lived with was great, but the location was far from the city and school. Travel to and from school took 45 minutes each way.

* Food:

To eat out, do not go to the restaurants because they are very expensive. Bars are the best place to pick something up. With my family I tried many different kinds of foods, but I also had a lot of independence to make my own food. It really depends on the type of family you live with.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city felt safer than my home town. There is graffiti and people who hang out on the streets but that is just normal. Everything always felt safe.

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? Some of the trips were short day trips that could have been eliminated to reduce costs.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
Language acquisition improvement?

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Meet Spanish people, live with a family, and practice the language.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International Marketing
Course Department:
Instructor: Pablo Atela
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good course for the basics of marketing, but does not cover the international aspect much.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Business Spanish
Course Department:
Instructor: Begoña Miguel
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Good to learn business vocabulary in context. Also, good practice of public speaking in spanish.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Español 3 - Conversación
Course Department:
Instructor: Begoña Miguel
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The course was not challenging, but good to practice skills and be corrected.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

International Financial Systems
Course Department:
Instructor: Mikel Larreina
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Good course, but difficult unless you have a background in finance.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Practicum: Spanish in Context
Course Department:
Instructor: Leyre Goitia
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Fun course with theater and cooking while incorporating spanish.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes, this course does not transfer to any course at my home university.