461 reviews
4.27 / 5 based on 461 reviews
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2
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
I loved living with a family. They had a 4 year old daughter that I would talk to. They were wonderful people and they were the main source of my practice in Spanish.
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Personal comments
My accommodations were very humble. Tile floors, concrete block walls, apartment setting, but my host mom was a neat--freak, so everything was clean. It was definitely different than my house here in the States, but it was fine.
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0
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
My favorite bars were the Oliver Gallery and Mulligan's. They are Irish pubs and all the international students go there to dance all night long. If you want to mingle with more Spaniards, you will want to go to El Puerto.
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5
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Overall
I wish I had known...
That I needed a visa!! No one told me I had to get a travel Visa, so I got my passport with a visa a week before I was supposed to leave. Talk about stressing me out. Also, if you want to do a lot of travelling, do not take a conventional suitcase!! I was stupid and ended up halling a huge suitcase all over the train stations and ferry boats and subways. There are way to many stairs to be doing that. I definitely recommend a backpack!!! All my friends with backpacks had to watch me in pity as I struggled to make it up all those stairs.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The University is beautiful--palm trees, flowers, fountains. You'll meet a lot of people from different countries. Alicante is considered a small town--a few hundred thousand people. It is so much fun during the warmer months because you can enjoy the beach. Night life is a lot of fun too--lots of bars and discotecas if you like to dance. I loved it.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
I had an awesome experience. I went totally on my own, without knowing anyone. I made friends with one guy in my class and then made friends with all the people he had come with in his program. I loved Alicante. It is a fun town and the people are generally very friendly. I would recommend it very highly!!!
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3
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Academic
Course recommendations
The Spanish classes I was taking were strictly with international students like me. None of them are with native Spaniards unless you are fluent and take regular university courses.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I didn't really get involved with any of the university life really, because I hung out with other international students from the States, Sweden, France, Germany, etc. But I'm sure that you could if you tried. I tend to be more introverted, so it's harder for me to do that.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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0
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
My classes were all in Spanish. I was in the intermediate level. I got most of my practice with my host family. It was more difficult to communicate when I went clothes shopping. Also, travelling one time, I missed my flight and no one spoke english, so that was a challenge to try to explain what happened and that I needed a new ticket, but everything worked out. I wouldn't change anything! I loved my whole experience.
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0
Sabra W
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, AR, United States
Language, Undergraduate, Independent
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I spent more on accommodation, because my host family charged a bundle for me to stay there. But if you live in an apartment on your own or with other students, it is a lot cheaper. When I was there, they didn't have the euro yet, so clothes and travel, etc. were generally cheaper. I loved shopping there!
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Food, Telephone, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
You can save a lot of money by walking. Almost everywhere in Alicante is within 30 minutes walking distance. I walked to the beach almost every day after class. It burned off calories and was a fun walk anyway along the coast and past all of my favorite stores!
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