I <3 the Instituto Franklin in Alcalá, Spain! Past Review
By Catherine K (International Studies and Spanish, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 06/02/2015 to 07/02/2012 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
Yes! Study abroad is so important.
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 classes offered were excellent and diverse |
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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? |
My host family was amazing. I was nervous about this part of the experience, but they were a perfect fit for me. They were so generous and welcoming to me as a new part of their family. I miss them! |
| * Food: |
Tapas and tinto de vernano are great after-class snacks! |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Alcalá de Henares is a lovely little suburb of Madrid. It has all of the coziness and safety of this distance with the added bonuses of convenient access to Madrid (a great launching point for travel) and the history of Don Quijote! |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at home with your host family! They're the best chance to practice yor spanish anyway. |
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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 studied spanish more first, so my skills could develop more there |
