Really spectacular- highly recommended. Past Review

By (Spanish Language and Literature., Williams College) - abroad from 05/30/2012 to 07/01/2012 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language and cultural skills, in addition to the experience of a lifetime

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Really wonderful classes. Instituto Franklin was awesome. We had thoughtful, patient instructors who made the whole experience fun and easy. We even got to shadow physicians in my healthcare class!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I would give this 6 stars if possible...Cristina and Eero were spectacular.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Unbelievable... I am still in touch with my homestay family three years later.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare was awesome and very accessible.

* Safety:

Alcalá and Instituto Franklin are extremely safe.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $120

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

Cristina and Instituto Franklin encouraged us to use Spanish at all times.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • My home stay family
  • Cristina and Eero
  • The city of Alcalá
* What could be improved?
  • I wish I had stayed longer
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nada.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'