Best Semester of my College Career BY FAR Past Review

By (Business Administration, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/16/2013 to 12/14/2013 with

API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - Universidad de Salamanca

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to speak another language, make friends with others who I wouldn't have normally been friends with, be open to new experiences, take risks, you don't always need a game plan, how to budget, how to be independent in a different country that doesn't speak my native language, how to adapt in situations I am not prepared for or comfortable with, the list goes on! Definitely worthwhile!

Review Photos

API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - University of Salamanca Photo API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - University of Salamanca Photo API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - University of Salamanca Photo API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - University of Salamanca Photo API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - University of Salamanca Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were not too hard but the professors were always more than happy to help if there were any issues. I really enjoyed all of the Spanish culture classes I took.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our host country program administration did everything they could to help us and prepare us for our immersion into the Spanish culture and living abroad. The only thing I would have to complain about would be figuring out our classes once we were on site. I would have liked to know a little more about the academic aspects a little bit before arriving in Spain

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved living with a host family and became really great friends with my roommate. It was just me and another girl that shared a room. We got our own bathroom to share, separate from the rest of the family. Our host parents were a little older but very lenient with us and took great care of us.

* Food:

The food was good but became a little repetitive after a while. It was a little bland compared to the food I am used to but it was part of the cultural experience. Tapas were my favorite!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt pretty integrated, especially living with a host family. I also did some intercambios and had some Spanish girls show me around my city and went out with them sometimes.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

Salamanca is a very small, college oriented town and has tons of young people. I loved the small town feel and felt very safe there. I had my roommate to always walk back with late at night and there were usually policia driving or walking around the streets until really late at night/early in the morning. I would advise future students to never walk home alone.

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)

Depending on what trips I took on the weekend I would budget anywhere from 50 euros to 250 euros per week. In Salamanca, I had no problem at all living on a budget because everything is oriented towards the college and international students there. Traveling is where the real expenses come into play.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 150 euros, if I were to travel that week and had already paid my transportation costs
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your trips early on and purchase tickets then to get the best price. Take food from your hostel or hotel's breakfast to carry with you throughout the day as snacks. Bring a water bottle with you because you will get thirsty and wont want to pay for water at a restaurant, and would rather get another beverage.

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

Depending on your level, our instructors would speak to us in the native language.

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? Advanced Grammar
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? Do intercambios with locals your age!!! It really helps and gets you immersed as well with other students your age. Talk to people at coffee shops. Talk with your professors outside of class. Basically talk to anyone you can to help practice and get comfortable with the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Included trips to Paris, France and Barcelona, Spain
  • Low-cost tuition
  • Program directors that truly cared about our wellbeing and helping us get what we wanted out of our experience abroad
* What could be improved?
  • More group activities with our program in the beginning of the semester
  • Encouraging us to start traveling early and getting to know our country, not just other countries
  • Pointing out points of interest in our host city
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing! I would not have changed my experience for anything! I learned things as I went and I loved it.

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 Blazer
Craving 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:

Cine Espanol e hispanoamericano

Course Department: Cultura
Instructor: Miriam
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The class was interesting because we watched Spanish (and 1 Argentinian) films that I have never heard of or even seen. The instructor was always prepared and very knowledgeable on the films and their history. I participated in class more often than I would at Trinity. We were assessed by tests throughout the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

International Marketing

Course Department: Business
Instructor: Jose
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The teacher was knowledgeable but it was hard to understand him sometimes because of his accent. We did many comparisons to home-country products with those in Spain. So I feel like I gained a lot in that sense. I participated in class more than I would have at Trinity. We were assessed with a few homework assignments and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Cultura Espanola

Course Department: Cultura
Instructor: Ana Velasquez
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This class was my favorite by far because the material was about the country I was currently living in and their customs. When I would travel around Spain on the weekends I was able to apply/observe what I had learned in my class. It was exciting that I was knowledgeable of why certain things were done the way they were or why certain things were celebrated. Ana was always prepared and made class enjoyable. I participated in class more often than I would have at Trinity.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Literatura Espanola

Course Department: Cultura
Instructor: Miriam
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was definitely one of the most challenging courses I had while abroad. Many of the stories took place in my host city so relevant field trips were taken to these locations. The teacher was definitely well-prepared everyday and knowledgeable. I participated in this class more often than I would have at Trinity. We were assessed by exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Arte Espanol

Course Department: Cultura
Instructor: Enrique
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was challenging because of the amount of information and variety of artwork we had to know about. However many of the paintings could be found in cities nearby so it was exciting getting to learn about them. The teacher was extrememely knowledgeable and well-prepared for each class. I participated in class more often than I would have at Trinity. We were assessed by exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No