An incredible experience that I will never forget. Past Review
By Danielle Young (Lewis-Clark State College) - abroad from 05/27/2018 to 06/28/2018 with
ISA Study Abroad in Barcelona, Spain
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained cultural knowledge of what it is like in other countries, language experience, and I made friends that will last a lifetime. 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? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 200 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving up early, and give yourself a fair amount of spending money. Although 2 meals were provided each day for the program I was in, the eating schedule was way different culturally, and I still had to purchase 2 meals a day for myself. It adds up very fast, so save more than you think you will use. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish |
| 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? | Try to converse with your homestay family (if you have one), and speak to locals often when you go out, even if they giggle at a mistake you made. |
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? | I wish I had known my homestay family could not speak any English. I was pretty frightened my first day in Barcelona when they came and picked me up and I couldn't understand a single thing they were saying. It would have been extremely beneficial to me to have known beforehand so I could have practiced some basic sentences to communicate with them. There should be a section on the application on the homestay families, and what level of English language proficiency you are most comfortable with. I understand that I went abroad to learn Spanish, but I really didn't learn much from them simply because we couldn't understand each other without hand motions or Google Translate. I think beginner students should only be placed with someone who has some English speaking capabilities, I know it would have improved my experience immensely. |
Featured Program Providers
