A Great Experience! Past Review
By A student (University of Utah) - abroad from 06/16/2012 to 07/14/2012 with
Centro Linguistico Conversa: Santa Ana - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
A knowledge of a culture and a better understanding of the spanish language. It was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took the super intensive program, and it was a lot of hours spent learning with teachers who natively spoke spanish so it greatly helped. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all very nice and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in La Casona not a host family. Though I prefer a type of living I am accustomed to. |
| * Food: |
The food was all very good, I had no complaints. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I saw many local people around the campus working, and had the opportunity to go into the city and experience more of their culture. They had cultural fiestas at the house for certain occasions. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Honestly I had no health issues so I couldn't actually tell you for sure. |
| * Safety: |
They had an armed guard at the campus, and locks for our rooms, closets, and a safe for the more valuable items. When in the city they always could arrange rides there and back if needed. |
| 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) |
Things are relatively cheap here, and I was eating most of my meals for free at Conversa, so maybe another $50 for other food, cigarettes, or depending on souvenirs. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Always use the language. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | More/Better spanish. |
