Valencia, Spain - Not Always Easy, But Well Worth the Challenges Past Review
By Darcee D (Spanish, Westminster College, PA) for
WorldStrides Study Abroad in Valencia, Spain
It was very worthwhile - I met great friends and got to see the world. It awakened my love of travel and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed the differences in education, including different methods and a lighter workload. The only negative was the differences in the grading system. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The woman with whom my roommate and I lived was not home most of the time as she took care of a sick daughter. She sent a nanny daily (at first, then it became weekly) to make us a meal and to clean. However, after a few weeks she no longer came over and we had to buy and cook our own food. The apartment was clean and spacious, but my roommate and I did our own laundry, shopping, and cooking, and once I was locked out of the apartment for most of the night as the nanny locked the deadbolt and I did not have a key for it. |
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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: |
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I traveled a lot while I was abroad (to other cities and countries in Europe) so I spent more money than I anticipated. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It would be best to come up with an expected budget and then double it to estimate what you probably will really spend. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200-level classes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my friends nad classmates, professors, and people with whom I interacted in the city. I did need to use Spanish daily and most people did not speak English easily. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students who want to learn the language will benefit most from this program. |
