A life-changing year in Alcalá Past Review
By A student (Social Work, Spanish, University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 08/30/2010 to 05/09/2011 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
I learned a much better level of Spanish. I learned to be more flexible and I experienced different cultures and different ways to look at the world. I actually live here now, so I also found job opportunities while I was here that allowed me to come back. I have been living here for 3 years after I graduated.
Review Photos
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. |
It was not exceptionally rigorous, but it offered very interesting and detailed courses about Spanish and Hispanic history, culture, media, and literature. |
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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? |
I lived with a wonderful Spanish mother and daughter. I had a lot of freedom, but could be involved with the family as I wanted. |
| * Food: |
Alcalá is a great city for Spanish food and my host mom was a great cook! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Alcalá is a University town. I could easily meet people my age from Spain and from all over Europe. I also was able to teach private lessons for Spanish families. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program offered to assist me with language help at my doctor's visits. |
| * Safety: |
Alcalá is very safe. There is a great night life and I never felt unsafe at any time. |
| 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 a great place to study abroad because it is relatively cheap for Europe. I also was able to earn extra in private English lessons. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ask for private lessons from your program directors or search online. If you go to Madrid a lot consider getting an Abono (monthly bus and train pass). For under 23 year olds it is around 50 euros a month. |
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 |
We were not supposed to speak in English in our school. Professors would ask us to change into Spanish if we did. |
| 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? | Spanish 5 |
| 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? | Try to meet people outside of your group, non-Americans. Go out! there are only four days of class, so you should go take advantage of the local culture. Stay with a host family and make an effort to spend time with them apart from eating. |
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? | Some of the housing is not central. I was lucky, but several host family houses were 25 or 30 minutes away. The residence halls were even farther. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
