Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best semester of my college career! Past Review

By (Wofford College) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 04/17/2015 with

Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my study abroad experience! My Spanish speaking skills, and my writing improved greatly over the course of the semester. I also gained a lot of confidence in my knowledge of the language! I met people that I still keep in touch with 3 years later! I would go back and study abroad at Instituto Franklin in a heartbeat. It was the best decision I made in my life to spend a semester abroad in Alcala!

Review Photos

Universidad de Alcalá: Alcalá de Henares - Spanish Studies Abroad with Instituto Franklin Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
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? Talk to you host family and meet Spanish people in the city and practice your Spanish with them!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The professors
  • The course options
  • The atmosphere
* What could be improved?
  • More frequent interaction between the professors and the students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how much I would love my experience so I wouldn't worry before I left. And then I could have studied abroad for an entire year instead of just one semester!

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 Linguist
You 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!