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Spain: A different World
AIFS: Salamanca - University of Salamanca
Program Information
Study abroad in Salamanca amongst the golden medieval buildings, Renaissance palaces and soaring cathedrals. Study at the University of Salamanca, known as the "Oxford of the Spanish World", where you will join the thriving community of students who make Salamanca their home.Learning does not begin or end in t... More
| Provider: | AIFS |
| Location(s): | Salamanca, Spain |
| Year Founded: | 1964 |
| Website | Take me there! |
Review By:
Emily I. (Exercise Science, Grand Valley State University) on September 12, 2011
Overall Rating
Personal Information
| * Start Date: | 2011-01-06 |
| * End Date: | 2011-05-20 |
| 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. |
The class atmosphere was a lot more laid back. You were expected to do work on your own and be an active class participant in order to practice the language. However many of the professors tried to incorporate the experience outside of the classroom within in to help the students better understand their experiences. Overall, it's more about the experience and learning within the community rather than in the classroom. The classes were more like guidelines which is the way it should be in a study abroad experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall the program was amazing. They guided us through the whole process, but at the same time gave us freedom so that we could learn and experience things on our own. They were very flexible. |
| * Housing: |
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| * Food: |
My madre should have been a chef |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
AIFS hosted a night out in which we went to different tapas bars and were able to experience why the custom is so special to the Spanish population |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe at all times. Students just need to have common sense. If its late at night, do not go to the park alone. |
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* Home Institution Advising:
How well did Grand Valley State University prepare and support you for your time abroad? |
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Although there were a lot of english speakers there was definitely a need to practice the language. My madre knew hardly any and promoted and encouraged practice |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? | Yes |
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be flexible! This is about the experience. Of course there are going to be times when things go wrong. Go witht he flow because you'll look back and be glad that you face the best and most challenging times. |
| * What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? | From the moment I arrived in Spain I felt so much more aware. I have learned to pay attention to world events and only want to experience more. The semester abroad definitely helped me grow up in so many ways. Now that I am actually back on a campus I feel like everything is so structured and I miss the freedom of Europe. |