Spain: Old Country, Many New Experiences - San Sebastián Past Review

By (International Business, Texas Tech University - Health Sciences Center) for

Universidad de Deusto: Bilbao/ San Sebastian - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile! I gained a whole new perspective on how the world works and how they view the country I am from. I have always been an open minded person, but during and after my study abroad experience I now have an even better understanding of why it is good to be so open to new things. Going abroad has definitely shown me why I am doing the right thing by getting a degree in International Business so that I may one day be able to give back to my global community.

Review Photos

Universidad de Deusto: Bilbao/ San Sebastian - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was not too much at all. I felt that it was very appropriate to the classes and was very enlightening.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The host administration of my program was very successful in meeting my expectations and even going beyond them. The program coordinator was very helpful and outgoing. She always had suggestions for stuff to do and see and knew everything there was to know about the city and the country. We had 22 students in our programs which was a great number to have and worked well with the classes.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family consisted of a single woman who had two cats. I also had an American roommate from my same program. My host mom was extremely helpful and welcoming. She took us around the city on the first day we arrived and made sure we felt at home always. I was lucky to have my own room. My host mom would make us a home cooked meal for every meal including a sack lunch to take to school every day. The neighborhood we lived in was safe and central to the city. Only about a 15 min walk to the school and about 10 min from the beaches.

* Food:

I mostly ate at my host home, but there are some very good places to eat in the old district of the city where most people go to shop and such.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My program had excursions included for each weekend except for the last one of the 5 weeks I was there. Bilbao was a lot of fun cause we went to the Guggenheim Museum and saw some amazing modern art. There was also a trip to Pamplona where we got to see the path that the Running of the Bulls follows. We even got a private tour into the bull fight arena there, which is the 3rd largest in the world. San Sebastian, my host city, also had some famous sights to see and experience including the wind combs, an old French fortress build by Napolean and others. Very wide ranging cultural experience indeed.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never had any major issues with my health while abroad other than getting sick at the end of the program. My host mom went out and bought me some of the local medicine which was like alkaseltzer almost. It was probably some of the best and fastest acting medicine I had ever had. There are medicine stores on almost every corner of the streets and accessible to anyone. Safety was not a big concern for me once I realized how safety is only an issue if I put myself in a bad situations. They are very easy to avoid if you use common sense.

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

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to try anything and everything that is presented to you.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Economy of the European Union

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Thorough breakdown of how the EU operates compared to the US economy. Final project was a little excessive, but not to hard at all. We did have two different instructors that switched halfway through the class which was a little confusing, but turned out better in the end.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Business

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Had a lot of interesting case studies and looked deep into the international aspects of business. Field trip to local wood manufacturing company was a lot of fun and added a whole other level to the class.
Credit Transfer Issues: