Living Life the Basque Way Past Review
By Bri G (Public Relations & Spanish, University of Idaho) for
USAC Spain: Bilbao/Getxo - International Business and Spanish Language Studies
My study abroad experience was worth absolutely every penny I spent. I got to travel extensively through Europe and experience so many other cultures. I also got to participate in some of the traditional and annual celebrations around Europe, so I absolutely loved it! I now know that I can travel anywhere and live anywhere and be perfectly fine. I used to have a fear of traveling so far from home, but after having lived somewhere for 5 months on my own, I have the confidence to travel a lot more!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Pais Vasco |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload for this program was about normal. The teaching methods are very different from anything that I have experienced. The classes are much smaller, more tailored to fit the students needs, and you actually get to know the professors you are working with. The grading system is similar to the United States. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration for this program was and still is FABULOUS. They are the most helpful, kind-hearted individuals I have ever met. They are great with knowledge of activities around the area and they listened when we needed them to. They gave us great opportunities to learn the Basque culture and to learn from their own experiences of being Basque. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
As it is the majority of the Basque Country, our neighborhood in Getxo was very safe. Our apartment, although older, was very safe and for the most part, had everything we needed upon arrival. We were a 5 minute walk from the main plaza in Romo, as well as good food and good company. The metro was also a 5 minute walk. To get to classes, we had to take the local bus, which was about a 10 minute walk from our apartment every day. I did have to buy sheets when I went there, but besides that, it was just purchasing personal items such as shampoo and food. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
What was great about the Basque Country was that there was little to no English. The road signs were in Basque and Spanish. Most of the people there did not speak, or spoke very little, English. This allowed for our group to learn the language better because we could not fall back on our native language. We had to adapt to every situation and use the knowledge and skills that we learned from our professors and intercambios. |
| 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 |
|
