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CSULB Exchange: University of Alicante : Testimonials (Alicante)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Center for International Education
Direct Exchange Evaluation
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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• (Sp. 2011) I took five courses: Baroque Literature, Contemporary Hispanic-American Literature, Pre-Columbian Literature, Hispanic American Theatre, and History of Artistic and Literary Thought. All five courses were based on literature so there were reading lists and the professor would give all the necessary information. Student input was encouraged for the theatre and history course.
— Spring, 2013 Participant |
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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The classes differed from those at Cal State Long Beach in that there is a lot fewer assignments along the way. Not a lot of homework assignments for the most part, just some readings and then either papers due, or group projects. These were generally the only big paper or project, and took up about 40% of the grade. The last 60% was the grade for the final exam. Additionally, I took the courses in English, so it was very interesting and nice in a way to have the advantage of being a native English speaker. I was able to help a lot of other students on projects because of this.
— Spring, 2016 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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• (Sp. 2011) I lived in the city of Alicante and commuted to San Vicente. Most people commute because San Vicente has very little to do in regards to night life. Buses are at most times efficient. I shared a floor with three roommates. I had my own room. Most people in Spain live like this. I arranged to pay about 135 Euros plus utilities split between all of us. The cost surpassed 220 Euros so I highly recommend finding a place with utilities included. Pisocompartido.com has all listings of available rooms. They are shared with other roommates. Look for ones that have utilities AND internet included. Search for ones in Alicante or San Vicente and check the map so you can research the location.
— Spring, 2013 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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My housing was amazing. I applied for the housing through the option offered by the University. I opted to live in the City Center of Alicante, rather than closer to the university in San Vicente (just under a half hour tram or bus ride). I would 100% recommend doing this, as it is much easier to get to the University for classes and club activities etc from the city center than it is to get home to San Vicente late at night from the City Center, particularly if you are returning home from a weekend trip, for example. My apartment itself was fantastic, I had my own room with furniture provided for, and was one of three foreign students there. The flat had a kitchen, living room, and bathroom that was shared by the three of us, plus a balcony that looked out of the beach and the castle above the city (!). I was five minutes walk from the beach, one minute from a metro line that led to the University. My landlady was super sweet and helpful in getting things fixed. I paid 275 a month plus around 50 in utilities. — Spring, 2016 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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Food: Around $30 per week Transportation: Around $5-$10 per week Personal Expenses: Around $25-$40 per week Travel: Around $60-$100 per week — Spring, 2013 Participant |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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• (Sp. 2011) I think you should be proficient in the language before attending UA. There is a high expectation as a student and you MUST understand the language completely. I do suggest for a student to have a level higher than SPAN201B completed.
— Spring, 2013 Participant |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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My Spanish skills improved tremendously over the course of my semester. I was enrolled at the start of the semester in a B1 level grammar course, that I tested into at the start of the semester via an online test. The biggest tip I have is to pay attention on the test and have patience! It was really long and took longer the higher a level you were testing into, so keep with it in order to get the most accurate placement possible! Outside of the course, my Spanish conversational skills went through the roof, although I did find my improvement plateauing towards the end of my five months. I would strongly suggest taking at least one course in Spanish if at all possible to move past the plateau I hit, since I had only courses in English. All of that aside, it is possible to function in Alicante with a low level of Spanish, or no Spanish at all, although that would make things far more challenging. — Spring, 2016 Participant |