Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Semester in Spain, What an Adventure! Past Review

By (Accounting, New Mexico State University) - abroad from 01/13/2012 to 06/27/2012 with

Polytechnic University of Valencia / UPV : Valencia - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained perspective on life and what it means to be a citizen of the world. There really is more out there than I thought and I would definitely say it was worthwhile!

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was up to the student. I found a beautiful flat in VLC but that had nothing to do with the program.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe in Valencia.

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)

Food and rent were much cheaper than in most cities in the US. As long as you lived close to the University, you were able to walk just about everywhere.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out and if you do, don't eat fast food. It's much more expensive than the thousands of small cafes all over the city.

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? Spanish 2 in High School
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 live with other native English speakers if possible. If you immerse yourself you'll pick it up a lot quicker.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I loved Valencia, the University, and the Country!
  • Spanish culture, man they know how to party!
* What could be improved?
  • My home university should either quit charging such high fees or actually get their act together. The focus should be on helping students go where they want to, not telling them that they should do program X because it is easy for the adviser.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that the schedule for UPV really isn't finalized until well after the semester starts. Also, don't trust their online schedules, look in the lobby of the building your classes are in for meeting times and test schedules.