Thania is an Albright college student graduating class of 2021 and she studied abroad in Alicante, Spain with Cultural experiences Abroad (CEA). She took on the role of a Mobile Journalist or MOJO while being in Alicante to share her experience through her social media accounts alongside CEA. She also traveled to other European countries alone to enhance her experience abroad.
I chose CEA because immediately after reaching out they were great to me. I was treated with respect and all my questions were answered. They are very organized. I was able to go to a program where I could take classes for both my majors and my minors. That was an incredible thing because other programs could only over 1 or 2 of the 4.
The price was also more reasonable than the others.
My program provider helped me out with choosing the correct program for me. They accommodated bills as well because I was in a bit of a struggle. They are also affiliated with my school so it was a lot easier to get things done and understand the process better.
They offered to get my visa for me. They went to the Spanish consulate and mailed me my passport to my home just in time so I did not have to. That saved me time and money.
I believe I was very well informed about my program and everything being offered to me. I had a clear understanding of what to do and what not to do. I encourage future abroad students to do your own independent research and also know how the host university works and how the school system would differ from your home university. Some schools might just have you in the class as if you were a local with no accommodation to the cultural and educational shock.
Also, do not forget to have fun. Take all the trips you want to take. Time flies and before you know it your program comes to an end.
SO much to do all the time. I lived a 10-minute walk from the beach so I spent some time there. While it was warmer, we participated in a lot of activities organized by the director and coordinator.
A day for me, after taking the train to school and going to two of my classes, I met with the coordinator to take the bus to a waterspouts school where we learned to kayak, paddleboard, and sail. I had to film or photograph the experience and share it on my IG. We take a bus back to a location close to everyone.
After getting home, I would usually cook dinner and head to bed a few hours after getting my work done.
My biggest fear was being alone. Traveling alone on a plane for 8 hours. That was the first challenge.
The second was being placed with students whom I would not get along with. After moving in with them, it was the complete opposite we hit off and we are very fond of each other. They are now my friends for life. I am very glad to have been placed with them.
Go somewhere you might not heard of. OR go to a country where you know you have roots in.
One of the many reasons I chose Alicante was because I preferred a smaller city and did not want the stress of living in Madrid or Barcelona because they have so many people all the time.
I also found family in Alicante I did not know about. That was a beautiful experience for me.