Fantastic Immersion into Spanish Culture, More Support Would Be Appreciated Past Review
By Sadie W (History, Truman State University) - abroad from 02/06/2015 to 07/14/2015 with
University of Burgos: Burgos - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Very worthwhile, but more support in logistical things would have been very helpful--health care, housing (where to live, how to pay, etc.), which classes to take, how to study properly, how to transfer credit, etc.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes are very difficult (since I was directly enrolled in the Spanish system and there is little guidance in choosing classes). This is an academic program, not a party one. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Not a great deal of support, you need to be very independent. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived in a Residencia, which is in one of the better locations, but it is one of the most expensive options, food isn't fantastic, and the director can be unpleasant. |
| * Food: |
Residencia food was not very good, but it is nice having food provided rather than having to worry about grocery shopping. Restaurant food was delicious! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There are a lot of internationals, but I have a Spanish roommate and interact with Spaniards in all my classes and at my residencia. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No guidance--public medical centers don't accept any health insurance (CISI, private, etc.), but no one could tell me where my insurance could be used. I ended up getting a receipt and am getting reimbursed by my health insurance, but more guidance would be very helpful. Being sick is stressful as it is. |
| * Safety: |
Burgos is very safe, no problems. Walking at night for girls is not an issue. |
| 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) |
I controlled my entire budget, because I was directly enrolled. I received no stipend or housing payment from my school. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €20, but it depends--more if I went on a weekend trip |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find a cheap place to live, get a bus card, take the ALSA bus to save money on travel, RyanAir is cheap, plan well ahead of time |
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 |
Language was required--no one in Burgos speaks English |
| 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? | Spanish 353 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | You will use it--no one speaks English here |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the residencia is not the place to live--find a piso before you go and one near the centro. That Spaniards are friendly but not as open as other cultures, you need to make the effort. That classes in Law are incredibly difficult and not good for internationals. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
La Constitución Española y los Fuentes de Derecho |
| Course Department: | Facultad de Derecho |
| Instructor: | Alejandra German |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Incredibly difficult--this is a law course. I had very little guidance in choosing classes from Burgos/my home institution, and I thought this would be a much more basic class--an intro to the basic Spanish government system. The professor is helpful in her interactions with international students, but the course material would be difficult in my mother tongue, let alone a second language. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
