Cultural Exposure in Oviedo Past Review
By Jane L (Spanish; Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Rollins College) for
University of Oviedo: Oviedo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was a good experience. I am glad I went because I learned a lot about Spanish culture and society which was definitely worthwhile. I am definitely excited to go abroad again, maybe this time in Latin America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was very little work outside of the classroom and the classes were not challenging in the least. At least one or two of the professors did not conduct their classes in a very effective manner and went extremely slow for the Advanced-level classes. However a few of the other professors were at the other end of the spectrum and were the only ones who talked, there was no discussion, and their expectations were extremly high for our written works. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I feel like we had amazing support while abroad, especially when dealing with Paco. It really was great to having him there with us. The program size was good, just the right number of people, I feel. My expectations were definitely met while abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with Josefina who lives about 35 minutes walking from the University and about 15 from the center of town. I felt extremely safe even when walking at night in Oviedo. There was also very easy to figure out bus transportation that could take you around the city. My host mom was absolutely amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better family. She was better than I could have ever expected and I really felt like I was part of her family. She provided everything but clothes and beauty supplies, basically. Absolutely wonderful! |
| * Food: |
The food was good. They eat a lot of sausage, potato, and bread! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Paco invited our group out to a Thanksgiving dinner which was very special for us because we were all missing our families and friends at home. Paco rocks! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was not an issue at all in Oviedo. It is a very small city and I did not once feel nervous at all. At clubs people just leave their coats and purses on the wall or on benches and do not worry about anyone taking anything. The healthcare was fairly easy to deal with. I had a sinus infection for a while and my house mom took me to a clinic there and even though I was not a Spanish citizen, they attended me quite quickly and got me an x-ray and medication very easily. I had a good experience there. Just more expensive than if I were a citizen of the country... |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? | I probably spent between 20 and 50 euros more or less a week on food and personal expenses. Because our house moms cooked our meals for us, we did not buy much else except for a pincho in the middle of the day with coffee. It was not too expensive to live there. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to travel around Europe, start planning it early and buy tickets early because the prices can get up there. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 481 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language with my host mother, the Spanish friends I met there, and at times with the other Rollins students in the program. Most people did not speak English, just those in our program. Oviedo is the perfect city to facilitate language learning because it is small and to the North, so it does not attract a lot of tourists. |
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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way when you are abroad and do not be afraid to try new things and ask questions. I think everyone learning to learn Spanish can benefit from this program. |
