Experience of a lifetime! Past Review
By Christine B (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., MiraCosta College) - abroad from 04/02/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
Adelante: Madrid - Intern In Madrid
I learned a lot about myself, I was able to reflect on who I am and what I want without any familial influence, which is a really important thing for young people to do - in my opinion at least.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The two week extensive Spanish learning course offered by Adelante in Madrid was absolutely amazing. I am comfortable with my Spanish speaking skills, however, when you arrive in a foreign country and the only language spoken is not your first native language, it is nice to know that you will have great teachers and other students having conversations with you to enhance your skills prior to starting the internship. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The support staff in Madrid were wonderful, the airport pick up was extremely nice, especially after so much traveling. The institution (Eureka) also had cultural activities made available to the students which were a great way to meet new people. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
What everyone must consider is the fact that apartments and housing is more expensive than back home and in typically smaller residences, so though I loved living in Madrid, I was not prepared, rather for being in such a small apartment. |
| * Food: |
I give it five because I cooked my own food, which was more economical. It was very convenient having a grocery store right downstairs, it made cooking for myself very easy. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you are open to the differences between American culture and Spanish culture, or even European culture for that matter, the integration becomes very easy and by the time I left I felt like a true Spaniard. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health issues to be addressed while abroad, but I am sure that if I had, they would have been handled without a hitch. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
If you are smart and know how to budget your money, it is very easy to live off of a small amount, I took about 3000$ USD with me and was able to live for 3 months on that budget, including trips to Barcelona, various cities in Spain, and one trip to Athens. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Knowing Spanish was a huge plus for both me, the intern, and Bodegas Real, the company I interned for. I do not think it would be entirely necessary for one to be able to speak the language proficiently, but going abroad is definitely the best way to better your foreign language skills, so why not speak it as often as possible. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Third semester of college-level Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Three months is not long enough, homesickness is normal, but exploring the city, even if you're by yourself, is a wonderful remedy. |
