467 reviews
4.23 / 5 based on 467 reviews
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Jeremy O
Academic
Course recommendations
There is a surprisingly wide variety of classes, but the University of Virginia has watered them down considerably. However, this allows you to pursue other interests, like museums, film, etc.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Honestly, I would not recommend changing anything because it offers each student an opportunity to tailor their experience to their goals.
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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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Jeremy O
Overall
I wish I had known...
Wish I had lined up a job in spain for the following summer so I could have stayed longer!
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
This program is a great opportunity to strengthen your language skills, see most of Spain, and meet incredible people from around the globe.
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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
Be yourself. Do everything you want to do while you are there. Come home with no regrets. Once you get a taste of Spain, you will thirst for her forever. Something about that place that will lure you back year after year (or in my case for a long time as soon as I can find I job there!)
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Jeremy O
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
Personal spending habits
I assumed I would only be there in that moment once, so I did everything I wanted to do! I traveled all over the Iberian peninsula. I learned much of my spanish slang over beer in Pub Dover Arms in plaza xuquer.
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Overall, Travel, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Housing, Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Traveler's cheques are always a safe bet. Follow the exchange rate before leaving and during stay. Not as applicable now with Euro, but it still fluctuates some.
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Jeremy O
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I was lucky enough to meet some great people along the way (who happened to live down the street from my host family). Like I said before, you can learn as much or as little as you want in this program.
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Jeremy O
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Home university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Although I thoroughly enjoyed living with a host family, I would like the experience of living with natives closer to my age.
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Personal comments
I was very pleased with the accomodations both UVA and the Universitat de Valencia made for us. At times, they did too much! The program tailors itself to your needs. If you are looking to get out and meet native speakers, then you have that opportunity; and if you are looking to hang out with Americans and just enjoy the study abroad experience, then you can do that too. However, if you are going to go that far to simply hang out with Americans, then you will not learn nearly as much!
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Jeremy O
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Unfortunately, the hot night spots in Valencia change from week to week. When I was there, the students all crashed plaza xuquer on the weekends for cuba libres! If you are there during the summer, hit the clubs at the beach! There might be a long line, but it is worth it! During the week, there are many pubs and cafes that cater to everything from pints with friends to studying with jazz. DO NOT miss las fallas in March. Go to plaza ayuntamiento at midday to experience the loudest, longest firecracker display of your life, then at night you can catch a fireworks show that puts most American July 4th festivities to shame. Pub Dover in Plaza Xuquer is a great Irish pub with Valencian natives who like to help Americans practice their Spanish. I worked there, so I speak from experience on this one!
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