Past Review

By (Political Science, Spanish, Nebraska Wesleyan University) for

ISEP Exchange: Pamplona - Exchange Program at Universidad Pública de Navarra

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There are so many things I could say here. You will have to experience it for yourself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was expected to work just as hard as any other student, despite being foreign and having a little difficulty at first with the language. However, the professors were always sympathetic and always very supportive once they saw that I was working hard.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt like the UPNA's international office was helpful, but they could have done a lot more. Like I said, they would always help you if you had any questions and were very nice. I would have liked to seen them take the initiative to organize cultural events and things like my university (Nebraska Wesleyan) does for our international students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My address was Calle Julian Gayarre 1. I lived in the neighborhood of Milagrosa, and I only had about a 5-minute walk to the university and a 15-minute walk to the Old Town. It was a pretty cheap, sometimes run-down neighborhood, but it is perfect for students at the public university because of its location and low-price. I would not recommend the apartment I had to anyone, though. It was only 200 Euros a month, but it is not a place I could live again. <br /><br /> I lived with two Italians who spoke know English or Spanish at the beginning. However, being as Italian is so similar, they picked up Spanish instantly and were soon teaching me several knew things. I also helped them a lot. It was great to live with non-English speakers because then I was always able to speak Spanish: at the university, with my friends, at home, and anyplace else. The location was perfect, but the housing itself was pretty shabby.

* Food:

I bought my own groceries, cooked, and learned a lot of knew things to cook. The Comedor of the public university was always convenient, and very good, but a little pricey. I would eat there if I had class or if I was studying at the library.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Pamplona has everything for college students. There are "botellones", which are parties in public places (mainly in the town citadel/fortress when the weather was nice. There were a lot of bars, clubs, and places to hang out. Spaniards party all night (literally til 8, 9, or 10 in the morning), so it is definitely a very social and friendly atmosphere

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The university has its own nurse's office, so the one time I was sick I went to her and got everything taken care of.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I really cannot remember how much I spent. It is different for every person. I spent $1500 (including my 570-euro stipend every month), but that is including a trip through Europe and other traveling expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Europe is a lot more expensive than the U.S. It is a lot cheaper to buy local foods rather than pricey foreign/American foods you can find in grocery stores, and beware not to deplete your bank account in the bars.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Social Change (Sociology), a 400-level course.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Almost no Pamplonans spoke English. I would definitely recommend Pamplona to anyone wanting to really focus on bettering their Spanish. It is a smaller city where one can encounter many locals; in addition, there are not many other Americans who study there. You cannot help but improve while living there, especially if you have international roommates and friends. Pamplona is only touristy in the summer, so you will not have the English option always available like you would in larger cities, so you are forced to really live the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

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  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A student who is looking to focus on improving his or her Spanish, but who also likes to have a good time (social events are key in improving your Spanish) would be perfect for this program.