An unforgettable month in España! Past Review
By Aimee P (Spanish Teacher Education, Illinois State University) - abroad from 06/03/2013 to 06/29/2013 with
University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself. It forced me to become very independent and I felt that I overcame a lot of challenges. I learned so much about the culture from my host mom and living it myself. It was very worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The quality of the program was excellent and very tailored to our requirements. However, there was way too much homework/outside projects due while abroad. It was to the extent to where our host families had the perception that we did not like them or want to spend time with them because we were always in our rooms doing our homework. We were not given access to WiFi at the University. we could only use the computer lab on campus and it was limited use due to classes being held inside and the internet being down for a few days so sometimes we had no access to internet whatsoever. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I couldn't have asked for a better host family. The proximity to their home to the University/other major parts of town was perfect. They could not have been more generous or done more for me. |
| * Food: |
My host family made anything/everything I liked and avoided everything I didn't like. If they were going to eat something they knew I didn't like, they would make me something separate that I did like. They always invited me grocery shopping and bought me whatever I liked regardless of them liking it or not. It was authentic and I was able to try whatever I wanted. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would've preferred to spend my afternoons/evenings exploring the local culture and people and practicing the oral language. However, I was confined to my room most of the time because we had so much homework and projects to complete outside of the classroom after we spent all morning/most of the afternoon at the University in class. Time was very limited and I wish I could've done more with the local culture :( |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe city- mostly older people who reside there so they were all peaceful and very helpful. Minimal crime. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
Europe in general is very expensive. I didn't have any expenses while with my host family, however, when I traveled with the group or went out with the group (extracurriculars) I found things in general to be very expensive. Especially with the Euro exchange rate. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 per week on average |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring euros with you so you don't have to convert them once you get there. Ask for discounts whenever possible for students. And try to plan ahead for traveling so you can buy cheaper tickets in advance. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Classes were held completely in Spanish. All work that was required was to be done in Spanish. Host families only spoke Spanish for the most part- minus my host sister who was taking English in school and wanted to practice from time to time. Extracurriculars were in spanish as well. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | LAN 311.15- Spanish Phonetics and Phonology |
| 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? | Watch TV shows in Spanish, News programs, listen to music or podcasts in the language. Sometimes you should watch tv shows or movies that are American but watch them with Spanish subtitles or in Spanish because it will help you understand better when you know what the general plot of the show/movie is. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how much homework/outside work while abroad was going to be required of me. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
