Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

AMAZING & UNFORGETTABLE! Past Review

By (Public Relations, Quinnipiac University) - abroad from 08/31/2011 to 12/16/2011 with

AIFS: Salamanca - University of Salamanca

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained tons of friends all over the world, in both the country I studied, the country I am from and other countries as well. I learned so much about different people and the different cultures and I also learned more about the European Union as a whole. It was definitely worthwhile and if able I would do it all over again!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universidad de Salamanca
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look into what you know you want to do and what places you want to travel to and figure out the prices before you get there. So that you can save enough before hand. But don't make big purchases of stuff before you arrive at the country you will be studying in until you have spoken to a local or someone familiar with the costs. They sometimes know of deals better then the ones you are finding online. Also, budget your expenses! I kept a log of what I spent on every week. So when I thought I was spending too much money, I went back to look where my money was being spent and prioritized where I would spend it in the future. This is also helpful if money does go missing. Tracking your expenses helps you to realize that situation happening.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The professors at the university made sure to teach you how to say basic every day sentences. It was really helpful!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 201
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? Practice it outside of the classroom with your friends and locals. Use the language when you go to the store or bar. Try to speak the language when ever you can and whenever you can. Avoid sticking with the American students who speak English everywhere they go.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The option to stay with a host family.
  • The price of the program included air fare.
  • They included so many activities throughout the semester and pushed us to get out of our comfort zones and try new things by reimbursing us if we did go out and explore on our own a couple times.
* What could be improved?
  • More out of country trips included in the price of the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the worse culture shock is returning back home and that you should not be lazy and take it easy, academic wise. That will come back and bite you right in the but.