You have to go! Past Review
By A student (Hofstra University) - abroad from 06/07/2017 to 07/02/2017 with
Instituto Mediterrneo Sol / IMSOL: Granada - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned how to be independent. I'm very dependent from my parents and have never traveled alone and this taught me how to be independent. It was absolutely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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 living with my host mother and host brother! They made me feel so welcome in their home and made the transition of being away from home so much easier! |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We did so many different cultural events, including taking a flamenco class! I was very nervous for the class at first, but it ended up being one of my favorite and most memorable parts of the whole trip! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe walking around Granada. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would have chosen a semester long program instead of a month long one. |
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) |
I was able to live very easily on a student budget. Living with a host family saved me a lot of money on food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to eat with your host family as much as possible. Always budget your money to give yourself a certain amount per week. Expect to spend more money in high-tourist areas. |
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 |
I wish my group spoke in Spanish more often but with eight students at varying levels of knowledge of the language, it was difficult. |
| 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? | SPAN 005 |
| 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? | Speak the language. Use it in restaurants, stores, with locals and all around. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How much it would change my life for the better. |
