Life changing Past Review
By Jennifer B (Spanish minor, University of Texas - Arlington) - abroad from 09/09/2012 to 09/09/2012 with
USAC Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies
Definitely worthwhile! My second language is getting amazing and I learned that not everyone lives like I do in the USA and it helps me learn to adapt to new things quicker than I ever did
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. |
Awesome program! All the teachers were nice and understanding I had all the resources I needed and I learned more than I ever did in a class here. Challenging but very do-able and fun! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Super awesome people and so friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved my home-stay family. They included me in actIvities and their home was nice and it felt like my home. I still connect with them. |
| * Food: |
Loved everything I ate and cook some of those foods here |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Amazing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I didn't once feel scared to go home at night I think I am more scared here than I was in madrid |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Honestly I didn't once think about money. It's always good to have extra money saved up before you go just in case. But I found a lot of free things to go do and most of the museums in Madrid are free for students |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't shop until the month of July, everything is a lot cheaper. If you live with a family never skip dinner and breakfast, take advantage of the free meals. |
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 |
They always began the conversation in spanish which was awesome |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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 3 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Any chance you get speak the language, even with you classmates |
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? |
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 I would learn |
