Five Months in the Basque Country Past Review
By Virginia A (journalism/Spanish, University of Nevada - Reno) - abroad from 01/17/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
USAC Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies
I learned a lot about Spain and the Basque country as well as the Spanish language. I also learned a lot about myself. It was hands down the best experience of my life.
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. |
Fairly difficult classes with interested, engaging professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The USAC staff went above and beyond to help us throughout the experience. Very dedicated and fun people. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family. |
| * Food: |
I loved the fresh vegetables and fish, but I would recommend students who like spicy food to bring a bottle of hot sauce as there is almost nothing spicy to be found in Spain. |
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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? |
I never had any issues, but I know people who were able to easily get help getting to and from doctors appointments and pharmacies. |
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| 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) |
Traveling was expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 euro. If I was traveling I spent much more than that. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Always book tickets for trips in advance to get the best prices. Spend your money on experiences rather than material items. |
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? | 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? | 351 |
| 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? | Live with a host family. Watch television or listen to radio stations in that language. Engage in conversations with local people. Participate in your language classes and take advantage of teacher's help. |
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? | How to conjugate in the vosotros form. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
