Past Review

By Lydia C (HRAD, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) for

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

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

This was a once in a life time opportunity and I would not change it for the world. I think it really helped me discover who I am as a person and to help me see where I would like to go in life. It has helped me see the world through a different lense and has changed many of social and political views.

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.	Academia at the collegiate level in Spain was not as I had expected. School is very relaxed and in most classes you will only have one test which is the final. Every college within the university is different and they DO NOT COMMUNICATE with eachother like the university systems in the U.S.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Valencia has a wonderful exchange program and a fantastic coordinator but unfortunatly I never met the actual coordinator but only dealt with her assistant. This only caused problems when turning certain things in on time because papers were turned into the assistant and then turned over to the actual coordinator who might not sign them for days or even weeks. BE WEARY OF THIS!!!!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I had the opportunity to live in a wonderful part of Valencia in the city center with 3 other OSU students. We supported each other and also helped one another deal with the culture shock of being far from home. In addition we helped each other with our language skills. Loved it!!
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Valencia is the best place on earth!!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Over the course of my stay in Spain I got sick twice, once with a cold and then another time with very bad food poisening. Both time medicine and health care were easily accesible and not a problem to deal with!
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
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	In Spain not many people speak English due to the fact that it is not taught in schools there. Using Spanish was a daily task and I only spoke English at home with my flatmates.