Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Most amazing and unforgettable experience! Past Review

By (University of Texas - San Antonio) - abroad from 09/28/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Gained friendships, knowledge of a different culture and language and great experiences through traveling, people and food! I would do it again anytime

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses offered were great and the professors were excellent!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were awesome, always willing to help us with everything!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I've been used to living on my own, so when i found out that this program had host family arrangements i was a little worried, but my host family was AMAZING, and definitely made my stay unforgettable. They gave me tours around the city as well as suggestions on where to go out for tapas, popular clubs, and great places to explore.

* Food:

My host mom Ana is an amazing cook and all the food was freshly made and a lot of it from organic vegetables from Antonio's (host dad's) garden. Lots of fresh fruit around the house as well which made me not want to eat out! And when going out to eat, TRY EVERYTHING.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Granada is a wonderful and active city, so there is always people walking around during the day and late afternoon. For going out past 11 pm or on the weekends i suggest going out in a group. I did not experience ANY safety-related incidents though, and always felt 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)

Depends on how much you want to go out to eat, shop or travel. And my program providing 3 meals a day/7 days a week. I would say overall i manage to average around $120 a week, having some weeks be $500 and some $30.

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? If you plan on traveling around. BOOK EARLY. You would be surprise on how plane ticket prices jump from one day to another. If food is provided at home, eat at home, and then go out for a snack. Set a budget for yourself. (only spend $100 a week).

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? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Practice, practice, practice! Any time you can just speak it, no matter what your level is!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Host family
  • The City
  • Friendships
* What could be improved?
  • It would be nice if some trips were done based on the current group of students suggestions
  • if the program started a week before and not 3 days before classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? i wish i would've gone earlier and stayed longer!

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 Urbanite
A 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.