Viva Espana Past Review
By Alexa M (Public Relations, California State University - Fullerton) - abroad from 02/03/2014 to 05/24/2014 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Madrid, Spain
That every minute you have can't be taken for granted. Living abroad taught me so much about myself that I would have never been able to learn here at home. It was eye opening to know that in four months I was able to call another city halfway across the world, home.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The style of teaching is different but it was a nice change. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely amazing. My advisors were incredible and made the experience that much better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
LOVEDDD my host mom and her family. I couldn't imagine an abroad experience without living with her and becoming a part of her 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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
A lot of people go on countless weekend trips but I spent a lot more time exploring Madrid and really becoming a part of its culture. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 500 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as you can before going and check cheap air fare websites if you plan on traveling abroad. |
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 mom didn't speak a word of English so my Spanish improved a ton. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP Spanish 4, a few college courses |
| 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 sure you practice it with whoever you live with. |
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? | This experience is irreplaceable, unforgettable and worth every penny. |
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.' |
