A Summer Full of Language and Discovery (and lots of Paella) January 24, 2020

By Emma Blystone (Instituto Franklin-UAH) - abroad from 06/02/2019 to 07/29/2019 with

CIEE: Alcala - Summer Language & Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My experience was incredibly worthwhile. I gained a new appreciation for different ways of living. I spent more time outside. I came to know the Madrid/Alcalá public transportation system like the back of my hand. I met two of my best friends in this program and through their friendship, was pushed to advance my Spanish communication skills. I learned to never take air conditioning for granted. I realized that one of my favorite books is now Cervantes' Don Quijote. My experience abroad opened my eyes to how much the world has to offer.

Review Photos

CIEE: Alcala - Summer Language & Culture Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

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?	I loved my host family- I stayed with one other woman who was genuinely excited to get to know me and teach me all about Spain and her way of living. We lived in a clean and cozy apartment complex with her two cats.
* Food:	My host-mother was an amazing cook. She prepared traditional meals as well as foods that represented other cultures. She would allow me to take leftovers the next day for a snack in between classes and would be ecstatic when I had the opportunity to eat out with friends at restaurants.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I always felt 100% safe here. My apartment was a fifteen-minute walk to school and I never felt uneasy about my commute in the morning or evening. The streets are consistently filled with easy-going, friendly faces.
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)

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
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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	Program excursions to Valencia & Malaga (and the freedom to stay later with friends) The incredible professors that taught my classes The location of the school in comparison to the "downtown" area
* What could be improved?	The opportunity for students that stay for both sessions to live in the dorms and have access to the gym
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Before going on this program, I wish I knew that I was going to be blessed with an amazing host family and meet some of my closest friends. It's not easy putting yourself out there to meet people to study with, go on weekend trips with or go eat with, but once you do, that friendship will be like no other.