Alicante: Best Experience of My Life Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courseloads weren't too challenging but helped you to improve your language skills and learn colloquial phrases.

On-site administration of your program

Luis goes out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable at all times and to make sure that everyone is thoroughly enjoying their stay in Alicante by experiencing as many different things as possible. He is very helpful in emergency situations and always there to talk if there is a problem.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was not expecting the small apartment living arrangments with a host family and mine didn't have central heating which was definitely not the best in the beginning of the program when it's cold. However, my host mom was amazing and did everything I could possibly ask for and say down and talked with me for hours when I wanted. It helped to immensely improve my Spanish and I recommend host families for anyone who wants a significant improvement on their speaking ability. Also, my particular host stay was in a phenomenal location right on La Rambla near the night life scene, the metro, the beach, and the 34 bus stop-the quickest way to campus!

The food was great in the beginning but did get a little boring after a while. My host mother tended to make a lot of the same thing and didn't use as many fresh ingredients as I would have liked but overall it was great experiencing a different food culture.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I absolutely had the time of my life in Alicante and would strongly recommend it to everyone. I made great friends from all over the world and the social scene is absolutely amazing. There's nowhere else quite like it when the nightlife starts at 2 and goes on all night. It definitely broadened my cultural horizons and gave me the travel bug.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program did make me feel safe, you just have to be careful walking around late at night.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The best way to do it is to live with a Spanish family and make Spanish friends. Living with a family ensures you have to use Spanish on a daily basis as most of them speak little to no English. Also, make Spanish or other international friends who don't speak English and try and speak Spanish with your English friends, which is probably the most challenging.

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• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family