The Semester I'll Never Forget Past Review
By A student (Elementary Education And Spanish, University of Wisconsin - Platteville) - abroad from 01/20/2014 to 04/25/2014 with
UW-Platteville Education Abroad at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE)
This experience is invaluable. For me, studying abroad opened up my views about the world and the people in it. As a future educator, it is vital to understand that everyone is different and see those differences as strengths. After studying abroad, I have an appreciation for diversity and an understanding that could only be found through first hand experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers are so friendly and helpful. They push you to learn spanish and embrace the culture but they also realize that studying abroad is about being abroad, not only being in a classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The student affairs department has something new planned each day to help you get to know and appreciate Seville. On the weekends, they also plan affordable trips to places away from the city. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was the best part of my whole experience. The food, language, and cultural exposure was amazing but nothing compared to the family atmosphere it provided. Whenever I came home I felt so comfortable, loved and welcomed into my host family's home. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
All food was provided during the week so most of my expenses were optional. |
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 |
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| 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 2940 |
| 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? | Make local friends! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 would not have bought a ticket home so soon after the program. I would have taken a few weeks to a month extra to enjoy Seville and explore other places that I didn't have time to visit during the semester. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
