A Time to Discover. Past Review
By A student (University of the Pacific) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
USAC Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies
Gained traveling experience, the opportunity to step into so many different cultures, and yes it was worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
Track 1 allowed me to learn a great amount of Spanish and also gave me enough free time to travel and enjoy my time abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location, amazing roommates, but there was construction going on the whole time! |
| * Food: |
Loved pintxos but I could not eat it every day. Definitely learned how to cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was somewhat hindered by my ability to speak Spanish (beginner's level). Also, I was hanging out with other USAC students almost all of the time. But besides that I was able to practice my Spanish with locals frequently and felt comfortable after the first couple months just walking around and buying groceries (daily routines). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Program said they would always be there for us in any case of emergency which was nice. |
| * Safety: |
San Sebastian is extremely safe. |
| 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) |
Usually saved spending money in bars/restaurants for the weekends. |
| * 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? | About 50 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn to cook instead of always eating out! Save money for spring break/traveling. |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None. Only took it in high school. |
| 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? | Practice as many times as you can. Locals will understand. |
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? | Traveling takes work. |
