Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One line? Impossible! I need a page to describe how great study abroad is! Past Review

By (Spanish Teacher Education, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2013 to 05/24/2013 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Granada, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was. I have gained so much self-confidence and know that I am capable of so much more than I thought. I learned about different cultures and have discovered both things that I like and don't like about our culture. Plus, my language skills have improved so much. I gained Spanish friends and a Spanish family that I will forever hold in my heart.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? food: maybe 15 euro (I lived with a family) traveling: 1 major trip/month = 350/400 E
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? For Traveling: Buy tickets ahead of time and search for the best price. RyanAir has cheap flights but strict requirements about carry-on size. Stay in the cheapest hostel you can find - the only time you'll actually spend in the room is sleeping. To save money on food when traveling just go to the grocery store and make sandwiches (or if you have a kitchen in your hostel you can make something else) instead of eating out all the time!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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

  • 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?
  • Living with my host family
  • Interacting with friends/professors
  • No class on Fridays - travel time!
* What could be improved?
  • This isn't the program's fault, but I would spend less time with Americans. It's to easy to just fall into the native language even though we'e all there to learn the new language.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew to have more space in my suitcase to bring back things I bought here. Several of my friends had to buy another suitcase, ship things home, or give some things away

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 Linguist
You 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!