Awesome! Past Review
By Matt S (Political Science and Government, Baylor University) - abroad from 01/11/2015 to 05/14/2015 with
Saint Louis University Campus in Madrid / SLU-Madrid
Appreciation for travel and the world. Ability to make friends and blend into a different culture. Increased language proficiency. Absolutely worthwhile, tons of fun.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were outrageously easy and very little work except for Spanish |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The campus is nice but small. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Santy was a cool guy, but I did not feel like it was a very authentic home stay experience. He rarely spoke to us in Spanish and did not cook. |
| * Food: |
Nothing special. Simple and often small. No breakfast. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Pickpockets. Just be aware. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Travel costs add up. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget your time and your money before you start trying to travel everywhere. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High school spanish but testes into Spanish 3 at Baylor |
| 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? | Get out into the city. Go to Intercambio type events. Make Spanish friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Caters to Americans looking to have fun in Europe, not to students trying to embrace a new culture/ way of life or a new language. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
