48 reviews
4.69 / 5 based on 48 reviews
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Richard K
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: I would flip a coin. Dorm or House Stay
Why?
As one could imagine, staying in a dorm of sorts means you are living with others who speak English. Therefore, you may be speaking English with your peers outside the classroom. But, you certainly get to meet a lot of people in the same situation as you are and make friends you will possibly return home with after the program.
On the other hand, staying with a family in Toledo means speaking Spanish a lot more. It would definitely help one's language skills. Also, you would get to see how a family in Spain lives. That alone may be enough reason to do a home stay. But, you would not be spending as much time as you may eventually want to spend with others on the trip you have classes with. Also, staying with a family may mean staying far away from the school and the where everyone hangs out.
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Personal comments
I loved the dorm (it was a 16th century convent made into a dorm). I stayed in a suite where I got my own room and my friend also had his own room. We shared a bathroom. It was great. There were rooms where three people had to share which may have gotten crowded. But, the time spent in the rooms is minimal. The food at the dorm was not the best, but the school tried to give everyone a good food experience. The effort was there.
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Richard K
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Nightlife, Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Go to Kiosko Miradero (enjoy the Malibu y pina). Then head downstairs for a few bars and dance clubs.
The owner of Kiosko Miradero is a great guy who loves helping everyone with their conversational skills.
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Richard K
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Other
Other sources of funding:
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Spain is not an expensive country.
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Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Overall, Travel, Food, Housing, Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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Richard K
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
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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Richard K
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I would have thought about all aspects of being abroad. I went to study and did not think of anything else. Luckily I was able to adapt and blend in while in Spain.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
GO GO GO!!!! The classes are not very difficult and classes are only four days a week so you can travel around Spain three days a week. Although Toledo is small, the nightlife is fine. The nightlife is great if you are only there four days a week. Stay with a family or a dorm, does not matter. Enjoy the Spanish people, food, and culture.
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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
Obviously travelling with a friend is great. My first trip outside the U.S. was to Spain is '99 to study. I went with a good friend and shared a suite with him at the dorm. So, I had a built-in friend at the Fundacion. But, if you go alone, you will meet dozens of great people with at least one thing in common - having a new experience in Toledo.
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Richard K
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: Basic phrases
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
What is great about Spain with regard to learning Spanish is that not many Spaniards know English. Therefore, you are stuck having to communicate in their language which only helps your spanish language ability in the end.
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