It ended too soon Past Review
By A student (Pre Nursing, University of Texas - Arlington) - abroad from 05/23/2012 to 06/27/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Valencia, Spain
I gained more independence, learn to take in the moment and take advantage of every opportunity I get.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The intermediate level classes had an excellent schedule. The teachers were extremely understanding and they never handed out too much homework. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all happy to help with any little thing, stayed calm in demanding circumstances, and very understanding. They did their best to make the study abroad experience memorable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The family was a nice older couple who let us do what my roommate and I pleased. There was always an abundance of food that had to be eaten, but that was countered by the long distances to walk since we lived far away from public places and most public transport. |
| * Food: |
Everything was delicious. There are so many choices and a lot of different places to choose from to eat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The local culture was so lax and free spirited. The locals were extremely nice, but I'm an introvert, so I hardly talked to them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I have no experience with this. |
| * Safety: |
Just act like any of the locals and most people won't bother you. Also, you have to be smart. Some people did have things happen to them, but you always need a buddy and common sense. |
| 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) |
I made sure to eat at home and to ask for lunches so I could save my money. I also didn't buy anything that I didn't need. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ask yourself if you really need something or not. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | two semesters of 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? | Just get out there and find places and other people to talk to. Find a person in the program who really wants to learn the language and only speak Spanish to them |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | What type of clothes I needed. Also, the amount of Spanish I needed to know before I left. |
