EVERYONE SHOULD STUDY ABROAD BEFORE THEY GRADUATE. Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/07/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
USAC Spain: Bilbao/Getxo - International Business and Spanish Language Studies
Definitely worth while. I learned about other cultures, saw the world, learned a new language, made new friends, became a part of new family and had the most memorable time of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 |
The USAC staff were like family and made everyone feel at home immediately upon arrival. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very close to the Metro which I used to go everywhere. I was in a good neighborhood near the beach and other students. I had a very nice family and good living space. |
| * Food: |
All food is amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I spent a lot of time with other American students, but we met spanish locals and went out with them. Also taught in the schools. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No personal experience, but my friends were fully covered when injured. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Bilbao, even when walking home alone at night. You should always stay with friends, but the short walk from the metro to my apartment was very comfortable. |
| 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's hard to stay on a budget with so much amazing food around! But if you have self control, it's totally doable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-20 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend all your money on food even though you will want to. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 101 |
| 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? | Speak with natives. |
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? | I was pleasantly surprised. |
