Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The people you travel with become friends forever Past Review

By (HISTORY., Western Washington University) - abroad from 06/28/2013 to 08/12/2013 with

ISA Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the culture and history of Spain, which I knew very little about prior to the program. I also was able to greatly improve my Spanish grammar and vocal skills. I was able to become comfortable getting around Salamanca with ease to the point that it became my home rather than just a place I was staying and studying in.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

When I was in Spain I hit my head on a metal pole and had to get three stitches. One of the professors on the program helped me get to the hospital and arrange with the doctors for me to get stitches. It was very easy, simple, and fast. I actually thought that the hospital experience in Spain was far better than any experience I've had at a hospital in the US.

* Safety:

I found Salamanca to be very safe but one should always have a cautious mind

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)

I found it a lot easier to spend money than to not. To become immersed into the culture I found that I needed to get out to eat in the town and that cost built up quickly.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? When getting money out of an atm get larger amounts at a time to avoid a lot of exchange fees.

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 203
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? meet the local people and befriend them. They will help you learn Spanish and they know the best parts of the town and can show you around. Also get a language partner. You can converse with them in Spanish to help yourself and English to help them.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • people I met that became friends
  • all the excursions that I went on to help me learn about the culture and history of the area
* What could be improved?
  • the living arrangement could be better. there were some people from the University of Massachusetts that stayed in the same dorm and they made the living experience essentially horrible.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I did the 6 week program. I wish I knew that the 8 week program had a week off from classes but the other groups did not. If I had known this I would have done the 8 week program.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'