Excellent. Past Review
By A student (Valparaiso University) - abroad from 01/06/2012 to 05/14/2012 with
University of Zaragoza: Zaragoza - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. I didn't gain a lot of tangible things from this trip. It was more how it grew me as a person and how it made me so much more confident.
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. |
It was not a terribly intense class in terms of homework and outside activities. But we learned a TON and it was pretty rigorous during the class times. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone in Zaragoza was helpful when we approached them with questions. We had some trouble with a couple things that weren't cleared up to begin with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host home. They were very friendly and fulfilled all my needs. At the same time, they let me do what I wanted as long as they were aware of the things that affected them. |
| * Food: |
so good. My host mom was an incredible cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to get to know a ton of Spanish people because we were in the international school, but other than that, we got to know the culture pretty well on our own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Of all the cities abroad that I have been in, Zaragoza was definitely the safest, or at least it felt that way. |
| 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 traveled a TON so that added a lot of expenses for me. If no travel was included, it would have been very cheap to live in Zaragoza after we paid the 600 euros per month (which is DEFINITELY on the higher side of rent). |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 600 euro/month plus travel and other things like a bus pass and going out to dinner/tapas. In total I spent around $2000 a month. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you can't afford it, don't do it. Tapas are great, but we have all food provided for us. You don't really have to spend anything outside of the monthly fee if you don't want to. Make sure you have a budget planned before you go, otherwise you will end up spending too much. |
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 |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | a 300 level Spanish class |
| 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 an active decision to speak. if not, it is really easy just to speak english when you're with the other people from Valpo. |
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?
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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? | The little details WILL get figured out. Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy your program while you can. |
