This Complete Immersion Left Me in Love With the Spanish Language and Lifestyle Past Review
By Ecco D (Berkeley City College) - abroad from 06/30/2014 to 07/25/2014 with
Linguistic Horizons: Study Abroad and Intern in La Coruña
It was incredibly worthwhile, I plan to go back to Coruña next summwr. Aside from becoming nearly fluent in Spanish I learned a lot about myself. I learned that the grass is always greenist exactly where you are. I also now have friends from all over the world and have unforgettable memories. I'll be telling the story of my first summer in Spain for undoubtedly a very long time.
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. |
Excellent small Spanish classes, I got a lot of one on one time with my teacher ND learned so much both grammar and vocabulary wise. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Both Universidad de Coruña and Nicole were extremely helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Nicole found me a great flat with housemates my age. The flat was right next to the beach, and within walking distance of the bus stop and all the best clubs. |
| * Food: |
Galician food is both delicious and cheap. Not to mention the wine! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This program better integrated me with Spanish culture than any of the programs I've seen my friends go on. I studied straight through the university and met a diverse group of people due to the Erasmus group and Nicole's connections in coruña. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I could not give enough stars in this department. On my flight over I somewhere attained gastritis and Nicole took me to the hospital and cooked me soup afterwards. I couldn't have been more appreciative, Nicole truly is a friend to her students and always willing to help with whatever she can. I had international heath insurance that covered all my gastritis issues and a few other issues while spending the semester in spain. All the hospital employees were extremely accommodating. |
| * Safety: |
Coruña is an extremely nice and safe city, there was never a moment when I felt in danger. |
| 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 was on a reletively tight budget and still had enough for the occasional shopping excursion. Food and drink as well as rent is very cheap in Galicia. |
| 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? | Although going out all the time is great and a lot of fun, I spent way too much of my money on drinks and clubs. Definitely become a member of Coruña Erasmus and you'll be invited to many sponsored parties with cheaper drink prices. |
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 |
In my Spanish classes we only spoke Spanish. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 3 |
| 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? | Make friends with natives and go out! The best way to learn how to speak a language fluently and comfortably is just to do it. Force yourself to not only speak but think in Spanish as well. You'll be surprised by how easily the words pour out after only a few weeks. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I know now that you follow yourself where ever you go-regardless of its location half way across the world. It's important to be the best you can be and to push, to trust, and to love yourself. I wish I knew then how much I'd miss the Spanish lifestyle. My trip to Coruña was a total blessing that I'll never forget. |
