Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)

You have to pay for services that are free or cheap at home, like laundry and internet. The food is much cheaper in Spain than the US, and the clubs had no cover charge, so going out was cheap. I traveled more than I do at home, so it was more expensive.

Staying with a host family is generally a business arrangement. Fashion is extremely important to Spaniards, so bring nice clothes. It gets really cold around November. Most stores close from 3-5 every day, and most are closed on Sundays. Things generally aren't as efficient as they are in the US (processing VISAs, etc.) so be patient.

I can't say that you shouldn't study there, because it was my professor I didn't like. It was interesting to experience the Spanish school system firsthand and interact with the native students, and it was helpful to hear lectures in Spanish every day. I mainly took classes from my America-based program, IES, and had only this class at the University. I enjoyed the IES classes much more for their American structure (even though they were all in Spanish, too).

Make sure you have a clear understanding with the professor -- what he or she expects, and what you will be doing to earn your grade. The school system is extremely different in Spain than the US, so be prepared for lots of lecture, little discussion, and little guidance. We didn't even receive a course syllabus, and there were no daily assignments, only suggested readings and a final exam.

Much more professor-student interaction; more discussion; clear daily assignments and periodic tests; much less lecture punctuated by activities to get students involved

I would like to live with Spanish roommates around my age and thus immerse myself in the culture. Living with a family during my first visit to Spain was a good choice, but I would like to make Spanish friends.