The Best Experience of My Life Past Review
By A student (University of Nevada - Reno) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
USAC Spain: Bilbao/Getxo - International Business and Spanish Language Studies
I learned so much about myself while I was abroad. I learned how to be independent and how to live where English wasn't the first language. One of the things I learned was that life is about new experiences, and it's about opening yourself up to things you would never do at home. Studying abroad was exactly that. I got out of my comfort zone and was always active every weekend.
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. |
Track 3 with Rosana was absolutely amazing. Learned more during the semester with her than I have in the past 3 years of taking Spanish in college. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The office staff is great because they actually care about the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
If you want to learn Spanish, I suggest you do a host home. One of the greatest experiences of my study abroad trip. |
| * Food: |
The food in the Basque Country tends to be bland, but overall really healthy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Bilbao is the 3rd safest city in Europe! Definitely felt safe while I lived in Bilbao and Getxo. |
| 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? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you know you want to study abroad, save all the money you can! |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 305, Composition 1 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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 wish I knew more about the weather during the time I was there. |
