Salamanca: Adventure and Education Past Review

By (Spanish, Hartwick College) for

University of Salamanca: Salamanca - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be self sufficient. I was on planes and trains and buses all the time. It taught me to be very independent while I was travelling.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload is like the workload that you receive at colleges here. I didn't find it any more challenging or difficult. They allow a lot more absences than normal professors allow. But they do expect the same level of achievement.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The people in the office were very accessible and helped us if we had any problems. They assisted us if we needed to go to the Doctor and we went on many wonderful trips together.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the host family that I lived with. They were friendly and we had many conversations. The fact that I was forced to speak Spanish all the time really helped me perfect my skills. They became like my family away from home and they went out of their way to treat you like one of their children.

* Food:

I am allergic to nuts and had no problems when I lived here. They due tend to give you a lot of food and dinner is late at night, but I really adjusted well to the schedule.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The people in Spain were wonderful and friendly. I made new friends every day. Our program took us to Granada and Sevilla as well as Segovia and various other places. It was one of the best experiences.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I was never afraid to walk anywhere at night. My friends and I would walk to the plaza or to tapas at night and we weren't afraid to walk home alone. There were no vaccines needed and health care was easily accessed. I got hurt when I was there and I was in to see a doctor with one of the program leaders by my side in case I needed translation assistance.

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)

Language

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

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Someone that wants to learn or perfect their Spanish.