Spain: The best time of my Life. Past Review

By (LACS and Spanish, SUNY - Binghamton) for

University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program has really helped me realize that I just love traveling and learning about other cultures. I want my future career to include lots of travel to different parts of the world.

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.

The workload was a lot less and I really like the teaching method over there because the teachers knew everyone, since classes were taught in a discussion style.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The advisor for the program was very helpful and she was extremely understanding and nice. She knew everything about Spain because she lived there for a long time, but she could also relate to us because she was American.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was amazing. My classes were near and I was right on the corner of the street that had a nightlife.

* Food:

Lunch was 3 courses and it was a lot of food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sevilla was a beautiful city and I actually really enjoyed all the excursions.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

My city was for the most part safe, but I would recommend that no one walked alone at night.

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? I did not spend that much money, maybe 20 euros each week. The only time I really spent money was when I traveled to another country or to a different part in Spain.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save all your money for travel.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Even though everyone in Spain spoke Spanish, I did not use the language unless I was with my host family because my friends and I all spoke English.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? One that still wants to learn, but have fun.