First time exploring the world Past Review
By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., St Mary's University) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 05/05/2014 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
Better ability to speak/understand spanish, lifelong connection with host parent and roommate, how to pack for nearly anything, how to get around in a country you barely know, I learned more about myself and how I handle unexpected things. It was a wonderful experience I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Lots of resources available, the classes were moderately challenging especially for someone who doesn't speak spanish fluently |
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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? |
Wonderful host parent, still keep in contact with them, always accommodated for our needs |
| * Food: |
Amazing food provided at home |
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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? |
No health issues personally |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Easy while in Alcala & Madrid, when traveling to other parts of the country or other countries on leisure time it was more difficult |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-20 euros depending |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of as much free stuff as you can, look for deals on products (some stores will be right next to each other and one will have a cheaper price), walk as much as possible. |
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 |
Nearly all classes were in Spanish and we were encouraged to speak it at home as well |
| 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? | University 2nd Yr Spanish |
| 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? | Actually try using the language even when you can speak english, I probably would have improved more had I done that. Also travel around your home country a lot, it gives you more chances to use the language instead of shortly visiting other countries and using english the whole time. |
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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* 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? | We were pretty well prepared but I wish I had known more common terms used in spanish and how to pack lighter and how much money is lost between conversion rates and ATM fees. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
