An Amazing and Comfortable Experience Past Review
By A student (Business/Communications, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/14/2015 to 12/10/2015 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned a lot about myself and how to be self-sufficient in a large city. I also learned how to take public transportation really well. Because of the location in Madrid I also was in the perfect spot for access to travel around Europe in a budget-friendly and time-friendly way.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic rigor matched the abroad experience, giving students enough time to also explore the city and travel around Europe. |
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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? |
I felt very comfortable and I learned a lot about the culture but I felt like I could have had a more authentic experience if I were exposed more to Spanish people. I only had American friends and had no means of making Spanish friends. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * 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) |
Spain is cheaper than the United States. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The earlier you book flights around Europe in advance, the less expensive they are. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Talking to people who do not speak English or speak little English as frequently as possible. |
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? | I wish I had known that in order to learn the language you have to really put yourself out there and find ways yourself to speak it as much as possible in order to both get the best experience and master the language the best you can. |
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. |
