Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning in another language and culture is such a rewarding experience. Past Review

By (MAT Spanish, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 08/28/2017 to 12/08/2017 with

University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained valuable immersion time with the language that I currently teach to high school students.

Review Photos

University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My study abroad experience was an independent study course that was advised by Prof. Carlos Villacorta of the MAT Spanish program at UMaine. My independent study was related to the Camino de Santiago hike across northern Spain, which I completed, and the researched and completed assignments, including reading literature, both popular and scholarly related to the Camino, periodic reports on my personal experience, a mid-term paper on the historical origins of the Camino, and a final paper and project related to the past and present economic influences of the Camino on Spain's history and economic development. All assignments were written in Spanish. Prof. Villacorta was very helpful as we set up the parameters of the independent study, quick to respond any questions that I had during the semester, and provided useful feedback as I completed my assignments. The independent study format was a great fit for my needs as a current teacher of high school Spanish, as it allowed me to focus on a particular high-interest topic that I will be able to share with the high school students I teach upon my return.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

N/A. As I did an independent study, I did not have an official on-site administrator.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in a student residence and then later moved to a shared apartment. Both worked out well.

* Food:

The food in the student residence was excellent. I cooked for myself in the shared apartment.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Salamanca, Spain has many local cultural opportunities and events that happen regularly in the city, so it was very easy.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I bought the required health insurance, but fortunately did not need to use it.

* Safety:

Salamanca is a small city of 170,000 people. We were able to walk safely just about everywhere within about 20 minutes, so it was very easy and safe to get around the city. There is a city bus, but we found it just easier, healthier, and more interesting to walk.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Yes, an independent study abroad was a good fit for me as a high school teacher taking a sabbatical. It was flexible enough to incorporate my family into the experience, and structured enough to guide and motivate me through my learning. And it very rigorous, as it was an immersion language learning experience.

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)

I lived abroad with my family in tow, so our expenses for 2, and sometimes 3, people were more than this.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $200 during the weeks when we did not travel. More when we traveled.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eating out is really affordable and part of the culture. Both tapas and the menu del día (which is really like two meals in one) are a great deal. Enjoy that part of the culture without feeling any guilt.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We lived and studied in Spanish. In addition to my independent study through the University of Maine Study Abroad program, I also took daily classes at a language institute and my 12 year old son was enrolled in a local school.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? Master's level classes for the Masters in Teaching Spanish program at the University of Maine
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 a commitment to look for opportunities to practice the target language and avoid speaking your native language. Get involved with exchange students from other countries so you can practice the target language together. Go on as many local and regional excursions as you can. Find a café that you like and visit every morning to have coffee and read the local paper. You will get to know the staff and have a chance to chat with them in the target language. Ask locals for advice any chance you get, you will learn a lot!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • It was located in Salamanca, Spain, which is a beautiful small city. With all of the historical buildings in the old city, it is basically an open-air museum.
  • It was an immersion experience.
  • I could choose my research topic.
* What could be improved?
  • Credit should be offered the additional language classes taken at the language institute that I was enrolled. The classes were some of the best I've ever taken.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I feel like the University of Maine did a great job preparing me for the experience. The Study Abroad office was easy to get in touch with and helped me to find answers to all of my questions.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!