Oviedo: the land of cheap drinks Past Review
By Dave F (Speech Pathology, Temple University) - abroad from 01/01/2014 to 05/15/2014 with
Temple University International Programs: Oviedo - University of Oviedo
I learned that I love America and its culture more than I'd thought. Spaniards in the north are fairly judgmental, but Oviedo is super cheap and has so many things to do... There are a myriad of bars and cafés and there's a train and bus station to travel around.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Seriously, you will learn so much Spanish that you'll come home speaking it. I started with barely being able to formulate a sentence and came home with enough skills to write a 5-page paper in Spanish in a few hours. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I guess this would be where k gush about how awesome Jaime is. Jaime is the program director and he becomes your father abroad. He is like a mix between Jesus and Enrique Iglesias.. He's a famous (in Oviedo) Hispano who can make miracles. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom made amazing food and she had a great apartment in a good location.. She clearly hosted students for culture and fun, not for $$$ |
| * Food: |
Food is cheap in supermarkets, domino's pizza is €5 and Jaime's dinners are amazing. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They looked at my mUgg shoes, and stared at times... But it was fine. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Safest city in Spain! |
| 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) |
Your host mom's got you covered, for sure.. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat at home and not out... Save money during the day so you can have fun at night... If you plan on traveling to several countries during spring break in the span of two weeks, find the cheapest order of countries in flights. |
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 |
Don't even think about speaking English... Because you won't need it! |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Basic conversational skills: 2001 |
| 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? | Talk to your host mom. I used Rosetta Stone before I left and it helped with my time in Madrid. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To pack less since I bought so much clothes and souvenirs. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
