My Month in Spain Past Review
By Rebecca P (Telecommunications and Spanish, Indiana University - Bloomington) for
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
Absolutely. My Spanish improved greatly, I met fantastic people from all over the US and the world, and I learned so much about Spanish culture. I really could not have asked for a better experience.
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. |
The workload for my program was manageable but the class time (9-2) was sometimes mentally and physically draining. The grading system seemed fair and the professors understood that we are second language speakers which made us more comfortable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Cristina and Danielle were fantastic. I couldn't have asked for better advisors. They gave us plenty of background before we got there, always spoke in Spanish, and were very down to earth. My advisors did a great job of helping us assimilate into a culture that was unfamiliar to us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
You definitely need to get used to the different eating times; to me, that was the hardest part. But the food in Spain is incredible and there are so many options. Even McDonalds in Spain has a different menu. You have to be willing to try new things. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The excursions were fun and educational at the same time. And our advisors even helped us organize our own excursions outside of the program (for example, we took a bus to Barcelona one weekend). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt safe when I was in Spain- just as you would do in the US, never walk alone. I never had any health issues but one of my friends did and I know she was able to obtain antibiotics very easily. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My professors, my host family, locals, and other American students. I spoke Spanish more than I spoke English. And no, not very many people spoke English which challenged me to use my Spanish as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | If you're looking for a study abroad program that isn't too long but allows you to travel, learn more Spanish, understand the culture and meet great people, the CIEE Alcala is the perfect program for you. |
