Oviedo: A Place to Grow and Learn Past Review
By Anna H (Art&Spanish, Western Oregon University) for
GEO: Oviedo - Study Abroad Programs in Oviedo
Yes. Very worthwhile. I would go back in a heartbeat. I gained independence from family. Worked on fluency in Spanish.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found the material slightly easy yet slightly challenging. There were more parts that were review for me as a 7 year student, but review in a second language is a really nice re-enforcer. It was really nice to have all the classes focused on the same thing -- the language and growing in comprehension. The teaching methods were normal and basic. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My site directors know a lot about the area and even have suggestions for other locations if travel is what someone is looking for. My site director also knows a lot about the American (USA) customs as she lived here for a while in her childhood. The program size of students was about 25. I loved all the site directors and their enthusiasm for us to be learning! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
awesomely tasty... but a lot oil is used in the host homes. Tierra Astur on Gascona is a great yet spendy restaurant with very authentic foods of the region. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved that my group of Oregonians joined together easily and quickly giving us a friend base instantly. Markets for Christmas are in every city! Barcelona is definitely worth the go if you like modern architecture. Oviedo has great statues too! Gijon is awesome -- beach, shops... Sevilla was okay. Pretty place but very touristic and they aren't patient with non native speakers. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Not applicable to me. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced a lot with my site directors and my conversation partner as well as my Japanese classmate who was also my neighbor. Most of my fellow students from Oregon talked in English with each other but I did my best to challenge myself with the other students from other places. |
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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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? | Culture shock occurs! It is not a myth. Be prepared to have challenges with relationships at home particularly while you are gone. But make sure to maintain those relationships that are important to you while abroad. If something (ideas, beliefs) are important to you, hold on to them!! |
