Study Abroad in Spain - An experience to look back on Past Review

By (Spanish, History, Marymount University) - abroad from 05/18/2015 to 06/19/2015 with

UW-Platteville Education Abroad at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education (SAIIE)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained the traveling aspect alone there and back can be very difficult, however, each day there was something new to be learned and go through while staying with the family, meeting new people, or exploring the town by yourself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? 300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring more than enough for the student trips, we paid all out of pocket and spending costs there at each place varied.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish II
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? Study the language of where you are staying way before the departure date, that way each student will be on a good language scale, rather than not knowing much or anything at the beginning of the program.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The administration
  • The trips
* What could be improved?
  • The class sizes
  • Including trip costs
  • A better way to prepare the students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The trip costs were not included and there were only two students in each class, also the building size, i assumed more than what it was.