basque culture and new experiences Past Review
By sarah g (Global Environmental Studies, Fordham University) - abroad from 08/26/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
API (Academic Programs International): Bilbao - Universidad de Deusto
i gained a lot of independence and i learned how to survive in a completely unknown and foreign environment. my spanish skills increased exponentially. i was also able to travel much more than i expected. it was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
i liked the summer intensive spanish course and the way you got to test out courses for a week before signing up for them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
helpful people in the international relations office |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
definitely recommend living with a family |
| * 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: |
Bilbao is very safe |
| 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) |
it is dificult |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 70 euros |
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? | 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? | exit level spanish and a spanish lit course |
| 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? | make local friends and live with a family or local students |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | a bit more about the culture in the basque country and what the program was going to entail exactly. also the equivalent of credits at fordham and deusto. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
