Spain...Why Not? Past Review
By A student (Elementary Education, University of Wisconsin - Platteville) - abroad from 05/17/2015 to 06/20/2015 with
UW-Platteville Education Abroad at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE)
I learned so many new things about myself and the Spanish culture while I was abroad in Sevilla, Spain. But the one thing that surprised me the most was how much of the Spanish language I really did know. By the end of the first week I felt completely confident in talking to the locals. I made great friends from across the United States that I plan on visiting and staying in touch with. It was definitely worthwhile, and there is not a day that I do not think about it and want to go back.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It is a family run institute, which makes it very personable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a host family immersing you in the country in a special kind of way. |
| * Food: |
So good! The señoras' cooking is amazing. And the food in general in Spain is fantastic. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Always felt safe when with a group. |
| 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) |
If you go in knowing how much you can/want to spend then you will be able to budget just fine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Only buy the things you really think you need. |
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? | Advanced |
| 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 3860 |
| 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? | Know the words that will get you to the country. Once you're there your peers and will help you out. |
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?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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 would have known how much of a "city" Sevilla is. It is a huge city with cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings. It is beautiful, but I did enjoy going to the beaches that were only an hour and a half to two hours away on the weekends by train. |
