Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A BEAUTIFUL CITY! Past Review

By (Instituto Franklin-UAH) - abroad from 05/30/2016 to 06/30/2016 with

University of Pittsburgh: Alcala de Henares - Pitt in Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
it was worthwhile, I learned to step out of my comfort zone and learn content areas in my non-native language with the support of a host family

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

lovely host family, really welcomed me in as a part of their family

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

had to go out of my way to reach students who were not american

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

safe to walk home at night with friends, bus system was clean and safe

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? do not eat out a lot unless it's with a group, go to the supermarket if you want snacks to keep in the house, go gift shopping throughout the entire program, buy a cheep cell phone once you are abroad

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? 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 conversation
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? try to speak spanish with your american friends, and do not just listen to your host family, speak and engage with them

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?
  • my host family
  • spanish for health professionals
* What could be improved?
  • excursions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? use less room for clothes in suitcases and plan weekend excursions in advance

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Medical Spanish
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Translation in a Bilingual Context
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: very challenging, a lot of outside class work. not much instruction was given on how best to translate written documents, just practice
Credit Transfer Issues: