My semester abroad was a challenging and rewarding experience. Past Review

By (University of Oviedo) - abroad from 01/09/2013 to 05/17/2013 with

University of Oviedo: Oviedo - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to communicate effectively in Spanish. My experience was definitely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The location was great and my room was good but my host family should not have students. The host mother was very nice but she was not inviting or friendly. Her and her daughter were rarely in the house and when they were they did not talk to me.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program I was in was completely separated from the rest of the natives. I felt incredibly isolated and was given very limited opportunity to meet local college students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go out to eat, you are paying a lot of money for the food your host mom is preparing, eat that.

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

I was with a host family so I should have had the opportunity to speak with them every day but they were rarely home and never engaged in conversation.

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
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? Read in the language and talk to your friends in the language right away, get into that habit early.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Speaking Spanish daily
  • Traveling
  • Meeting new people
* What could be improved?
  • More integration with locals
  • Better screening of host families/a choice to live with a family or aloen
  • Classes with students from the university
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Oviedo is a very rainy, cold city. It is very beautiful but not what most people think of when they picture Spain. Classes are conducted solely in Spanish but all of the classmates are American.

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 Adventurer
The 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.