Everything Good Comes From The Basque Country. Past Review
By Storey F (Business Administration, Berea College) - abroad from 08/28/2014 to 12/18/2014 with
API (Academic Programs International): Bilbao - Universidad de Deusto
The experience has forever changed my life in every way, I am a different person than I was before. It was completely worthwhile, I have never once regretted making this choice.
Review Photos
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. |
The University was challenging but extremely interesting and professional. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My on-site program director was wonder woman, she was probably the largest factor in my amazing experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There were some domestic misunderstandings, but they were very wonderfully dealt with by the on-site program director. |
| * Food: |
The food in the culture was delicious, though it grew monotonous near the end of the program with my host family. |
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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? |
I was sick several times throughout the semester, nothing that I haven't experienced before. My host mother and on-site program director were very caring and the medical facilities were very professional and helpful. |
| * Safety: |
The people are wonderful and I felt very safe throughout the program. |
| 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) |
Travel was the largest expense, as I did not live in the city and there were many excursion opportunities. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-100 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just because you can travel to other areas without an ocean in the way, doesn't mean you can afford to. After all, why did you choose to study in your particular city if you did not want to experience the culture there as well? |
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 |
My host family did not speak English, the only time I used English in the country was in University classes and talking with friends. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Make as many local friends as possible: many people will be patient and are interested in learning about foreign culture from you as well. |
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? |
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? | I wish that I knew that my host mother did not speak English. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Organizational Behavior |
| Course Department: | Business |
| Instructor: | Fernando Diez |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Transatlantic Relations: The US and The EU |
| Course Department: | Business |
| Instructor: | José Ramón Canedo |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
