Beautiful Basque Bliss Past Review
By Haley M (University of Nevada - Reno) - abroad from 08/14/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
USAC Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies
Studying abroad in San Sebastian Spain was one of the best decisions I have made. USAC helped set me up with an amazing family and classes geared toward my personality and language level. San Sebastian truly became my home as I was able to not just learn about another culture but embody it and live it as my own. The host family that I was placed in took me in as their own and helped me adjust and live the like a local as well as practice my Spanish. USAC really took my interests and personality to heart when placing me with an appropriate family whom I still communicate with today. The USAC staff overseas were also wonderful with working with the student's needs and concerns. They helped set me up with a paid internship teaching English in a local school, organized amazing field trips to places that would be difficult to get to on our own, and gave us loads of information and support within our program location. I was able to have that support and guidance when I needed it but was also free to grow as an individual without feeling restrained or held back. Studying abroad gave me confidence, insight, compassion, and experience which I have taken back home and implemented into my everyday life. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live in another culture which ultimately helps you learn about your own culture and your place within it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My teachers were helpful and taught us about Spanish culture as well as language. I was learning everyday without even feeling like I was in school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site staff was like family. They helped us with information, places to visit, tours that we would not know about other wise, and were there if we needed anything at all. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The host family that I was placed in took me in as their own and helped me adjust and live the like a local as well as practice my Spanish. USAC really took my interests and personality to heart when placing me with an appropriate family whom I still communicate with today. |
| * Food: |
The food was really good but I like more spicy foods which were not popular there-however I was able to get a lot of kebabs which satisfied my spice craving there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
San Sebastian truly became my home as I was able to not just learn about another culture but embody it and live it as my own. Living with a host family definitely helped me feel like I was at home there since they accepted me as part of their family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
A friend of mine had an allergic reaction and the USAC staff abroad took her to the doctors, interpreted for her, and held her hand through the whole process. The staff truly cares about the well being of their students and were there in a moments notice. |
| * Safety: |
San Sebastian felt safe and like home, however I took precautions no matter where I went and made sure I was with friends at night in the city. |
| 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) |
USAC works hard to find affordable housing, but San Sebastian is a bit pricey on some things. Food and drinks reasonable but some of the clothing stores can be expensive depending on the area you are in. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look on the outskirts of the city to find smaller, more local shops that have reasonable prices. They also have a few Chinese bazaars which are cheap but not as sturdy materials. |
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 |
I lived with a host mom who didn't speak English which was great for making me get out of my comfort zone and use the language everyday and I defiantly noticed an improvement in my speaking skills because of this. |
| 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? | One year of foreign language in middle 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? | If you hang out with friends who speak English, practice speaking Spanish with them as well. You get so much better the more you practice Spanish conversation. |
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 wish I had practiced a little more Spanish before I left so that it would have been easier to get around in the beginning. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
