A Semester-Long Dream Past Review
By A student (Computer Science & Film, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/23/2015 to 12/19/2015 with
CIEE: Alicante - Language & Culture
I became so much better at speaking and understanding Spanish. I also got to learn cultural quirks and colloquial expressions I would have never learned otherwise. I also fell in love with Spain and its language.
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. |
Not too much academic rigor. Very east classes. Haven't gotten the grades yet, so I can't comment too well--but classes were very easygoing for sure, in terms of their own subject (excluding difficulties in language, etc). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amazing. They were there to listen to any need I had, which weren't much. They made sure to check up personally throughout the entire semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family. They shared my personality and listened to any concerns I had and were very loving in general. I felt like I really had a home in Alicante. Not to mention, my Spanish is a lot more improved now thanks to them. |
| * Food: |
If you're used to spicy food, or food with a lot of seasoning in general, you might get a little bored with the home food here. But it's still amazing and the host family will cater to your tastes. Aside from that, there are great restaurant options that are tasty and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Although I can't say I've completely integrated, I felt really close to it. It might be because Alicante is such a small town, so you get to know it well during your stay. I felt like I was a part of the city and not just a tourist. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Every time I had a health issue (a couple of times), I would just tell Rocio, the receptionist, and she would walk with me to the school doctor a couple of minutes away. The doctors and hospitals in Alicante are more or less the same as in the US. The medicine is definitely cheaper. And when I got very sick once during my semester (stomach virus), my host family went out of their way to take care of me. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe. I regularly walked the streets of downtown Alicante as late as 4am in the morning. I never felt threatened or unsafe. As long as you have common sense, the city is very safe. |
| 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) |
I'm not taking into calculation the housing and boarding costs I paid as a part of the program, which included all meals in a week. So to account for a little side spending, I'd say I've spent around 20 dollars a week, more or less. It's possible to be on a stricter budget if need be. But if you want to travel, expect each trip to cost around a few hundred dollars. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to 100 Montaditos on discount days (Wednesday, Sunday). Take advantage of cheap tapa shops. When going out, talk to promoters to get into clubs/free drinks. It's also nice if you get to know the bartender/owner at the bars you visit. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 104 at Brandeis |
| 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 Spanish friends and go to intercambios. Talk to your host family a lot. Try to use as much spanish as possible with other students, even if it's just a "vale" here and there. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | I wish I realized how short a semester could be. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
