Alicante Spain: Allowed to Dream Again Past Review
By Gerald J (Sociology., University of the Pacific) for
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
Yes, it was being in Spain allowed me to be away from my country and be challenged, but it also gave me a rare opportunity to reflect on myself and redirect my life. I have changed my academic interests in wanting to pursue a different career path.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was exceptional. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was treated with the utmost hospitality--as a family member. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
USAC Field trips: Granada, Valencia, Toledo, Madrid, etc. Bullfight, Professional soccer match, "Las Fillas" (festival) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe city, can walk alone at night. |
| 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? | Home stay is a little bit more pricey, but everything was included: 3 meals a day, room, etc. at a rate of about 650E a month. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always check the exchange rates and try to cash in when the dollar is strong. |
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. |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Living with a host family was advantageous enabling me to practice everyday and excel in the classroom. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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