Great experience, need to direct your own language opportunities Past Review
By Sam D (Spanish Language, Literature, Winona State University) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 05/22/2015 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned that if you really want to learn Spanish, or whatever language, you need to go without a program, or be really proactive about meeting locals (going with a program CAN work).
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved taking classes at the CLM and meeting people from different countries, but overall, the rigor just wasn´t there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
It didn´t apply to me, so it might have been better/worse than average (3 stars) |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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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 |
Careful--no one in my program wanted to speak Spanish outside of class, so if you´re in Spain for an immersion experience, try really hard to meet locals through intercambios/going to bars, events, etc. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Adv. Latin American Lit. 452 |
| 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? | USE the intercambio system set up by CLM! I didn´t, and I really regretted it. |
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? | That, given the varying levels of Spanish ability within the program, we would be speaking English most of the time. And that it´s a lot easier to spend money when you´re abroad, especially in Granada with all its shops. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
