Siestas are amazing Past Review
By Donavan B (The Citadel) - abroad from 05/30/2011 to 05/29/2011 with
Instituto Franklin-UAH: Alcalá de Henares - Study Abroad in Spain
I learned that being around Spanish majority of my day forced me to learn at a faster pace. The cities of Madrid and Barcelona are very beautiful.
Review Photos
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. |
The city of Alcala was amazing. I liked how the city had a suburban feel and was only a short train ride into Madrid. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The university staff were very receptive of us, however, I wish i was the classes were more integrated with the local university students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was very supportive, tutored me at night, and made me feel at home. |
| * Food: |
Loved the food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Majority of the local students were studying in a different building, therefore we did not integrate as much with them. Should have more excursions were interactions with locals go further than just being around host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any issues. |
| * Safety: |
Overall the city is safe. However, one of my classmates were attacked by locals. |
| 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) |
The euro was stronger than the dollar a few years ago. However, with the right budgeting I was able live comfortable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Lay out a budget plan before going and stick to it. Make sure you know and understand the updated exchange rate. |
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 |
Majority of the class was spoken in spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 101 and Spanish 102 |
| 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? | Stay with a host family and integrate with locals. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | 0 |
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 am more mature and do not use going abroad as an excuse to party all of the time. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
