My challenging, exciting, and self-fulling journey: Eskerrik asco, País Vasco! Past Review
By alyssa.hurtt (University of North Dakota) - abroad from 09/01/2011 to 05/23/2012 with
USAC Spain: Bilbao/Getxo - International Business and Spanish Language Studies
a deeper understanding of the importance of family, more respect for other cultures, patience, how to travel light (haha), how to cook basque food, learned more about myself, and so much more..... YES! everyone should study abroad.
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. |
The classes were very intensive but I learned so much because of it! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family and by the time I left they felt like real family. I got home cooked meals daily and my host mother insisted on doing my laundry. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
USAC offers intercambio exchanges which offer students the opportunity to interact with locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health care received was expensive and didn't resolve my issue. USAC helped assist me with getting the appointment. |
| * Safety: |
Although Bilbao is considered one of the safest places in Spain, always be aware and never go out at night alone. |
| 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) |
It all depends on your spending and lifestyle habits. With the Euro things were more expensive. But again it all depends on how much traveling, eating out, drinking, shopping, etc. you do! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 -- hard to say with different travel and transportation expenses |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | MAKE A BUDGET and STICK TO IT! Be realistic about your spending habits and always budget for a little more than you would expect. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | 1. Live with a host family!! It was the best opportunity to learn. I practiced all the time with my family and learned tons of common phrases, slang, etc. 2. Find local friends. 3. Speak the language with your American friends... I know it might sound and feel funny at first but if you are there to learn the language it will help so much! 4. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to speak. Everyone makes mistakes and people (the locals or your friends) do NOT judge you for these mistakes! I spent too much time worrying about saying something wrong when I should have been practicing! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How much more money I would have needed the intensity of the courses |
