Alicante: An Unforgetable Experience. Past Review
By Zoe H (Int'l Affairs and Commerce, University of the Pacific) for
USAC Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, Mediterranean, and Gender Studies
Yes, I learned a lot about myself and had a good time. However if I were to do it again, I wouldn't go to Western Europe. It was expensive and similar in many ways to America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Lourdes, my professor, is one of the most interesting, intelligent people I have ever met. She was amazing and was incredibly fair. She expected you to work but was not unfair. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people in the program were very supportive, the professors were wonderful and the housing was carefully considered and almost everyone had a great match. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a great location, but I didn't particularly like my roommates or my room. I was in a tiny room with no closet, I had to buy a blanket because it was freezing and I was getting sick, and one of my roommates (with whom I shared a bathroom) was really rude and cold to me. I should have asked to have been moved earlier in the semester when I started to feel things weren't going well, because the director of my program was amazing and would have moved me. |
| * Food: |
I was bored by the lack of spice and variety in Spain. Also, my friend who came to visit doesn't eat pork or shellfish (due to restrictions based on her religion) and it was difficult for her to eat out. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Go to Las Fallas in Valencia!! It was awesome! Also, make sure you go on the trips they offer! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Way safer than Stockton, and you can use the on campus health facilities and the program will go with you to translate to the doctor. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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? | $400 on food, transportation, etc. $600 a month on rent/expenses. I was paying more than my roommates for the worst bedroom in the apartment. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wish I'd realized you have to take the train or bus to and from school everyday- its a little under $2 each way. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3rd Semester |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
In class, at my apartment, everyday while grocery shopping or exploring the city. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
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 |
|
