Spain is my second home Past Review
By Kaley M (Spanish, Western Michigan University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Málaga, Spain
Studying abroad was great for my Spanish. I also learned a ton about myself and about the culture I was living in. While in Spain I also had the opportunity to travel to London, Rome and Milan. All of these trips added to my cultural understanding of Europe. I believe that if I hadn't studied abroad, I would not have the job I have today. I graduated from Western Michigan in May of 2010 and got hired as an International Sales Coordinator managing my company's accounts in Mexico in September of 2010. Western Michigan recently wrote an article about my experiences, check it out here: http://international.wmich.edu/content/view/2379/401/
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I prefer teaching methods abroad. Not too much homework, no quizzes. Just exams and projects at the end of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The advisors on site were great. Very resourceful with travel arrangements, advice on where to buy things and how to fit in with our surroundings. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing is included with ISA's program. Neighborhood was extremely safe. Close to train and bus station but about a 25 minute walk to nightlife. 15 minutes to class. Host family was great, treated us like family. They did our laundry and fed us 3 meals a day. |
| * Food: |
Everything was homemade and my hostmom encouraged us to try everything once. Always a variety in case we didn't like something. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the included excusions were great. As were the optional activities within our city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had to go to the doctor once. My advisor took me and then she walked me over to the pharmacy to get my perscription. Everything went smoothly. The appointment was included in the program fees and the perscription was 20 euro. Malaga is a very safe city, i felt comfortable walking alone all the time. |
| 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 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host family, which was the best practice for my Spanish. Hardly anyone speaks English in Malaga so yes, I used it every day. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go for it! I made great friends and had a great time. Malaga has fabulous weather too! Study abroad in general is best for outgoing students who love to try new things, meet new people and who are up for an adventure! |
