Outstanding Past Review
By A student (Spanish and Leisure Youth and Human Services, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 09/30/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
University of Oviedo: Oviedo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself and I learned how to become extremely independent and take matters into my own hands. The trip was absolutely life changing and I will never take for granted the experiences and memories that I have from it.
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. |
There was a lot less expectations and assignments do, which I preferred, but the teachers were very clear and I was able to understand directions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The first day was very confusing because we were loaded up with a lot of information and we were all still kind of jet lagged, but we managed and figured out what we were supposed to do. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was absolutely amazing. Wouldn't have wanted any other family. |
| * Food: |
My host mom cooked very well, the only negative would be repetition of the same meals, even though they still tasted good it got boring. I didn't want to be rude and ask for something else. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were never really activities planned that would immerse the groups together, but when we went out to eat and to clubs we interacted with people more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never got sick enough to need any help but whenever I felt ill my host mom was ready with coffee and anything I asked for. |
| * Safety: |
At first the city at night scared me because I was unfamiliar with where I was at, but there are always people outside and I have a cell phone after the first week so that didn't scare me much. |
| 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) |
I'm going to be honest I worked a lot the summer before I left so money wasn't a concern for me but I know that by the end of the trip some people didn't want to do something because of money concerns. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat before you go out, always buy food at the grocery store for when you are walking around and want some food, it is cheaper than buying something in a cafe everyday. Also pack for for airports because airports can get expensive. Buses are always cheaper than taxis, even if it means getting up 30 minutes earlier the money is worth it. |
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 |
We were constantly told to speak only in Spanish and to not rely on English while we were there. |
| 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? | Oral and Written |
| 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? | Constantly practice it, practice it with english natives, practice it with host family, practice it will class. You can never be done learning a language. It is something you must continually practice at and never stop practicing. Don't rely on English as much as you can because the experience and opportunity to speak Spanish is much greater while you are in the actual country. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 time goes by way too quickly and you need to soak up every minute. |
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.' |
