Study abroad is the best thing i've ever done!!! Past Review
By amy H (Interior Design., Samford University) for
University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Study abroad is the best thing i've ever done!!! i learned so much from it and feel like i gained a better outlook on life.. it made me realize how lucky i am to live in america but at the same time it made me want to experience every different culture that i possibly can. there are so many different and interesting cultures in our world and i think it is important for everyone to realize that and be educated in those cultures. i LOVE europe and think that it is the most amazing place in the world and i want to go back ASAP!!!
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took Spanish classes for 4 years in high school... I learned more Spanish from being in Spain for 5 weeks than I learned in high school. Being completely surrounded by the language is the best way to learn, and you have fun doing it because you get to know so many cool Spanish people and are forced to learn the language in order to communicate with them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was great.. my teachers spoke little english, forcing us to learn to speak spanish with them. however it was pretty difficult to be in a 101 class with someone who speaks no english so if i had a question it was hard to communicate and understand it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i LOVED my madre.. she was really sweet and fun. she would cook us meals every day and help us out with our spanish. and did our laundry. she was AWESOME <br /><br /> really nice house, close to the school, and madre was wonderful! |
| * Food: |
madre wasn't a very good cook.. but at least she cooked for me! and it was free food! the worst part was the first day i told her i was a vegetarian and she still would serve me ham...? but on days i ate out i really enjoyed going to this place called maoz it was DELICIOUS and vegetarian mmm SO GOOD! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
fun fun fun fun fun fun spaniards are FUN |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
people tend to get robbed alot if they're not careful. sometimes on the metro i felt pretty unsafe especially whenever it was really crowded and could easily be robbed. |
| 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? | i spent about $150 a week. i spent alot of money on vino. i also went out shopping and bought clothes. i didn't eat out much though |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | i went to el capital twice... it costs like 30 euros to get in.. i wish i'd only went once. and don't waste too much money on cabs.. most places aren't too far of a walk. and whenever you walk places you get to experience more |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I wish I had tried a little bit harder to develop strong conversational skills with the people in Spain. Alot of the time I would try to converse with Spanish/English if the person spoke some English.. I wish I had attempted to use less English. But I still learned alot |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | IT IS THE MOST AMAZING THING IN THE WORLD!!!! don't take too many naps.. you want to experience as much of this as you possibly can. go out and see as much as you can, meet as many people as possible, and practice speaking the language as much as possible. try to do and see something new each day that you are there. don't be lazy, get up and go see everything!!! |
