Vale vale, vamos a la playa. Past Review

By (Loras College) - abroad from 01/25/2016 to 05/06/2016 with

Universidad De Santiago de Compostela: Santiago de Compostela - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Better knowledge of the language and Spanish culture. Yes it was worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot outside of class. Some of the professors taught us like we were in second grade and that was really annoying.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It would have been nice to have classes with other international students rather than just Loras students

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Santiago is super safe, I loved it.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Living in a host family is the best thing in the world.

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)

Day to day costs were low but I could have had more of a travel budget to be happier

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? you don't need coffee everyday... save that money while in the US so you can buy cheaper coffee everyday at the cafe's in Spain

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

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? Spa 350
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? Practice before you go but you will pick it up really quick

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

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?
  • Learning the language
  • Host Family
  • Being in Europe
* What could be improved?
  • Having classes with international students
  • Classes not being taught at elementary level
  • More activities with people from Santiago
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What to pack and what to expect with our host families

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.