Alicante Past Review
By Karelli C (Anthropology., University of the Pacific) for
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
very worthwhile. in my opinion, essential for well-rounded university education.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Not as competitive at Pacific. Professors are always available and very used to supporting international students. USAC courses are taught/carried out just like American classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
expectations met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
250 euro a month + utilities. I had access to a fully equipped kitchen, living room, washer, bathrooms. Very safe, apt. located in downtown area next to the beach and the bar area. Very safe area/very lively. Needed to buy towels and common use items (toilet paper, napkins, cleaning supplies, etc.). |
| * Food: |
campus has many areas to eat at. downtown has many restaurants at various price points. markets are cheap/everywhere. Mercado Central is one of the best features of Alicante and living in an apartment (fresh fruits, vegtables, breads, meats, seafood, etc.) Spanish food in general is very bland (no spices). Everything has either olive oil, tuna, or cheese. Restaurants are not very accommodating to specific/special food needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
highly recommend the Madrid tour before all USAC Spain programs. USAC also arranged many trips which were all exceptional as well as provided information for events every weekend. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | varies greatly. you can easily spend 50-100 euro. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | not informed about needing to pay for bus passes to school. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | native speaker |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Living with Spanish speaking students, I spoke to them everyday. All of my instructors spoke Spanish as well. USAC faculty encouraged Spanish speaking as well--information provided in Spanish. While knowing Spanish is not absolutely necessary to get by, one should arrive with basic knowledge prior to starting classes to efficiently navigate the city/understand the university maps, signs, bus, etc. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | especially great for students who want to travel europe and go to the beach! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Topics on Gender Studies |
| Course Department: | Sociology, CEM |
| Instructor: | Various |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This was a directly enrolled class through UA. I do not believe it was very beneficial, but an intensive way to receive credits and full indulgence into a traditional Spanish style of teaching. Very lecture based. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Composition 1 & 2 |
| Course Department: | Track 3 Spanish Language 305/306 |
| Instructor: | Prof. Eva Garcia |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Composition 1 and 2 are great courses. USAC's track system is great as well--each student can get 9-12 language units completed in the semesters, plus be able to take additional classes and keep a manageable schedule/workload. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Grades have not been transferred. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Economic Situations of the European Union |
| Course Department: | Econ |
| Instructor: | Prof. Hernandez |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A great class for Americans to take to get a better grasp on understanding one of the world's superpowers and how its institutions are different from the USA's. Also with other international students--great way to meet people that are not from your program and from erasmus. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish Gender Studies |
| Course Department: | Sociology |
| Instructor: | Prof. Pilar Escabias |
| Instruction Language: | English/Spanish |
| Comments: | By far the best course I took while abroad. Great introduction to Spanish culture and gender. Professor is phenomenal. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
