USAC Alicante is the best program EVER. Past Review
By Holly C (Clemson University) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 05/23/2014 with
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
DEFINITELY. gained spanish skills, knowledge of the spanish culture, friendships from all around Europe, traveling experience, the opportunity to find myself and appreciate life.
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. |
You learn so much from the professors in the USAC Alicante program. While you are learning a lot and are challeneged in class, they also have a great understanding that you want to travel and have fun while being abroad, too. I walked away with so much knowledge and great speaking skills, with only being given a small out-of-class workload, compared to what my home university gives. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I LOVE THEM AND MISS THEM SO MUCH! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great. I lived on the 11th story of a building overlooking the city. A 5 minute walk to the beach and was on La Rambla, one of two liveliest parts of the city. |
| * Food: |
Tapas are great. So is kebab!! If you go, try some form of paella. If you're a picky eater out, there are also many "touristy" places, too, if you're feeling some Italian. Personally, the spanish food was part of the experience for me. There is also a HUGE fresh market to buy groceries. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The locals in Alicante are so welcoming, especially when you show that you're trying to learn about them and their language. I made a lot of friends at the university through the intercambio programs, playing volleyball at the beach, and through a volunteer program that taught english to the locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When my boyfriend hurt himself in a bike accident, a staff member came to his apartment, picked him up and drove him to the hospital to get checked out. The USAC staff ensures that you have all the information about healthcare and where you can visit when you are sick/hurt. Also there ASAP to help you get somewhere when needed. |
| * Safety: |
Other than pick-pocketing, the city seemed to have no crime. Just be conscious of pick-pocketers. Keep your keys and anything of value secured to you or at home locked away. |
| 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) |
If you shop at the fresh market and Mercadona, like I did, you can get by on food for 20/30 euro/week. Including food, eating out, drinks, and transportation, it's easy to get by on 50/week and that's a generous amount. Alicante is very affordable |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget!!! Keep track of the things you buy on paper so you know HOW you're spending. If you're in an apartment, buy food that will create substantial meals for cheap. For me, that meant eggs/toast/yogurt/fruit at breakfast and pasta/chicken at dinner. If you go out, take a set amount of money with you before leaving, that way you don't spend more then you intended to, or get pick-pocketed. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | 200 course level |
| 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? | Speaking with other people, or just to yourself. Listening to spanish on the radio, or watch tv shows in spanish or with subtitles |
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? | Experiences are so much greater and meaningful than that cute shirt you wanted |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
