A Semester in Valencia: An experience without comparison that will change you for the best. Past Review
By Kirby H (Spanish, University of Massachusetts Amherst) for
ISA Study Abroad in Valencia, Spain
It was beyond worthwhile. I would never change it for anything in the world. If anything I wish I could have been there longer, and could fit in another semester there but unfortunately my academic calendar doesn't allow for that :-/
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 learned more of the language than I ever would have been able to without coming to the country. It was the figurative kick in the butt I really needed to push myself to learn the language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were some people who were complaining about a teacher for Quijote but just as in the states, not every teacher is going to be peachy, you have to adapt yourself to their teaching styles just as much as the teacher has to bend to the class majority if they are unsatisfied with his methods, and so forth. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My house family was great, they hardly ever complained, and when they did they had good reason or were just voicing a concern. The room was very small, hardly big enough for one person but my roommate and myself were able to pull it off just fine, we both worked together very well. |
| * Food: |
Opened up my priorly picky methods of eating. Now I eat different things than I had before, and got to try many new dishes that I never would have had the opportunity to eat if not staying with the house family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Learning about Las Fallas was really memorable and well worth the experience because Fallas is such an important celebration for Valencia, and will always be a lasting and strongly positive memory for me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Obviously there are pigs everywhere you go, but no one ever harassed me more than just shouting obscenities. Harmless comments, never forceful. |
| 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 with the program directors, my house family, my teachers, and occasionally fellow american class mates. |
| 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 are willing to learn and immerse yourself into a country then Valencia is just the place: a happy medium between modern and traditional roots, you will be able to "live like a spaniard", and fully experience what it means to be from Spain. You will be surrounded by a culture of extremely honest people, and it will too shape you to see your inner truth. |
