The Alicante Experience Past Review
By Matthew S (pre-pharmacy, University of the Pacific) for
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
This experience gave me time to really find out who I am and what value I hold dear. I have learned a lot about the spanish culture and other cultures as well.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very well set up and easy to understand. Very effective |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program has many resources available. The directors are very accommodating and help out the students in all aspects of life. If you did not know something or wanted to be involved, the directors would help you set up whatever it was you wanted. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was provided by the host family. Very safe neighborhood and friendly neighbors. Class was about 30 away on bus, but a new tram station will go to the university in the coming months. Nightlife is close and it is a beautiful city. |
| * Food: |
difficult for vegetarians. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Excursions to various cities were extremely fun. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Relatively safe city. All phone numbers were provided in orientation and readily available. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | less than 50 euros per week. however, travelling is expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | none |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Host family and other foreign students. A few people spoke english but most didn´t. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This is a great program for someone looking for a break from a very busy life style. The weather and atmosphere promote a very relaxing experience. There is plenty to do, but it´s up to you to go find it. The proximity to the airport makes travelling very easy. |
