CARPE DIEM Past Review
By Breanne S (interdepartmental studies, University of Iowa) - abroad from 01/09/2013 to 05/14/2013 with
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
I gained everything from being abroad. It was so worthwhile and I am so happy i did it
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved all of my classes and learned a lot. The teachers were great, especially when we didn't understand something. Time was always taken until we understood no matter how long it took. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were great! Couldn't have asked for better program directors. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a home was great, my host family was amazing. It was hard not to have all my independence that I have in the States though. |
| * Food: |
My mom and host brother cooked amazing food. There was never something I did not like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the Culture and experienced new things every day. I met a lot of amazing people that really helped me out. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had a health related issue but my friends went to see a doctor and never had to wait. And the directors were always there to help. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Alicante. |
| 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) |
It was hard. I never wanted to miss out on anything or not experience something because of money. I do not regret the amount of money I spent but it was a lot. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $160 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you live in a home stay eat at home as much as possible or ask for a lunch to go . |
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 |
Always |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 100 |
| 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? | go out and meet new people that speak the language. They will always help you with your spanish and you can even help them with your english. |
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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| 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? | How hard it was going to be to come back to America |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
