Pamplona is relatively small and I always felt very safe Past Review

By (Truman State University) - abroad from 01/28/2016 to 06/15/2016 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were interesting and fairly easy, lots of group projects. The teachers were very understanding of my lack of fluency in Spanish and helped me a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a 3-person flat in the city and I loved it!

* Food:

The food in Pamplona was not my favorite, lots of weird meats it was difficult to get used to. However, the tapas were pretty good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would have liked to have a bit more interaction with the locals, but otherwise I felt like I got a good grasp of the local culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Pamplona is relatively small and I always felt very safe.

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)

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? 300
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? Don't let yourself fall into the trap of only hanging out with English speakers, try really hard to get out of your comfort zone an talk to the natives in your classes or the other exchange students that speak Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

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