simple incredible. Past Review
By ari.philbin (Fairfield University) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 12/14/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Barcelona - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Not only did I grasp the language better, I made so many great new friends. I got to travel all around the world and it was simply amazing to experience a variety of different cultures.
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. |
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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? |
I had the most beautiful apartment ever! |
| * Food: |
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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: |
I felt very safe during the say but not very safe at night. There were a lot of muggings and robberies that occurred, and some students got very injured. |
| 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) |
Being abroad was much more expensive than I thought, especially since everyone travels on the weekends. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | approximately 160 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You need to really budget your money well. Try to cook and not eat out but at the same time not spend too much money on groceries. Also buying alcoholic drinks at clubs is extremely expensive so drinking should be done prior to. |
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 |
there was no english spoken whatsoever in my spanish course. |
| 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? | Spanish Composition |
| 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? | It's best to allow your program to set you up with a language exchange partner, where you help them practice english and they help you practice spanish. |
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? | 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? | to save up as much money as you possibly can, because there is so much to go do and see and finances can limit you. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
