Spain: Where You Learn Much More Outside of The Classroom Than In Past Review
By Jessica M (Voice and Opera., The University of Texas at Austin) for
University of Valencia: Valencia - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. I will never regret it for the rest of my life. I wish I had gone for an entire year because when I was leaving I was just then really starting to feel like a local. I think it is at that moment when one is able to truly understand what it means to live outside of the US, to grow up in a country, culture, and system that is different from that of the US and to truly see its benefits and problems.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was difficult to really understand what it was that was going on. Half the time we were lost, and if we weren't, it was only because we hadn't figured out yet that we were. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Travel as much as possible. Everywhere we went was a favorite place. Travel internationally or just within Spain, but do it as much as possible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save more for travelling. I wish I could've done more travelling. BUT the travelling is probably where the majority of my costs went. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Do not expect to learn a great deal as far as your studies goes. Go with an open mind, but expect to learn much more outside of the classroom than within it. Definitely the best experiences and the best lessons learned happened when I wasn't in class. |
