My Spanish skills improved tremendously, and so did my confidence. Past Review
By Brenda C (International Studies & Spanish, Centre College) for
University of Zaragoza: Zaragoza - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
*see above.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were taught in all Spanish by Spanish professors. Fields that were interesting and connected with one another. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
there was absolutely NO orientation. The first two weeks of classes served as the most informal orientation. It was messy, we were afraid of failing classes due to the horrible scheduling of what we had signed up for. There was hardly any help until we almost gave up, completely. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I found an apartment. <br /><br /> I found an apartment. |
| * Food: |
I ate in my apartment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a lot fo drinking involved with the exchange organizations. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt perfectly safe. But might be because I come from a big city. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Personally spent too much to count. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The visa, the food, the traveling (if you are interested)...getting to and from the airport, and difficulties if you'd like to have a social life. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Being in a Spanish (mostly only) speaking country makes the exchange student be immersed in the culture, language and social aspects of the exchange. My Spanish skills, even as a fluent speaker improved tremendously, and so did my confidence. |
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?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | *see advice. It will be difficult, the culture shock will not be easily overcome, but when you realize that you are in a different world, you will appreciate it, cherish and remember it. Don't think of the money. The opportunity for an experience like this will not come around in life very often. |
