La Experiencia más Incredible de Mi Vida: Málaga, España. Past Review
By Olivia R (Business Management, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for
ISA Study Abroad in Málaga, Spain
YES! I absolutely fell in love with the city, and know that I will be back someday, as more than just a student or tourist. I know that I definitely want to incorporate the spanish language into my career in someway or another. It brought out a desire in me to continue my travels and explore other cultures as well.
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. |
The discussion based classes taught in Spanish helped immensely in improving my language skills. I loved going to school! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISA office and directors were extremely helpful in making sure we were well aquatinted with where we were, encouraging us to speak spanish, and making sure that we had the most rewarding experience possible! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The homestay aspect was one of my favorite parts of my life in Málaga. I did not speak a word of english when communicating with my host mother and sisters which helped in improving my skills a huge amount. I had one roommate who was in my program but we had our own rooms which was great. The apartment was extremely clean and was located just a five minute walk from the main city center. I miss my host family and feel that I have made a lifelong connection with mi familia malagueña :) |
| * Food: |
My host mother was a great cook and I could tell that she absolutely loved to feed us! One complaint was that a good majority of the food is deep fried which is just part of the culture in Málaga. We were NEVER underfed! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went of several great excursions with the group which made for some of my best memories. Two of them, Granada and Sevilla were overnight weekend trips which were both as culturally interesting as they were a fun and exciting time to bond with one another. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe for I lived in a quaint city which I felt comfortable in at all times of day and night. I knew my surroundings and just knew to be smart about where I went and who I was with at all times. |
| 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 was able to practice both in and out of the classroom with my professors, classmates, program directors, and many Spanish locals. |
| 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? | If you have a passion for the spanish language, want to live in a truly unique and special culture, a love of the ocean and all natural beauty then please, por favor, por favor, don't miss out on this opportunity to live in Málaga, España en la Costa del Sol! |
