My favorite semester <3 Past Review
By Whitney (Northeastern University) - abroad from 07/29/2016 to 11/26/2016 with
Adelante: Madrid - Intern In Madrid
Friends, Spanish skills, appreciation of other places, fun times dancing, independence/confidence. 10000000% worthwhile!!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
there are plenty of restaurants and grocery stores around- not too expensive which is great |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Mostly you have to independently seek out integration, which is not difficult to do. Otherwise you could pretty easily get by in a bubble. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
n/a |
| * Safety: |
no problems |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I'm actually considering doing the same program again if I can get the time/money. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
youth discounts AMAZING 20euro for unlimited transport- can eat out for 10$ wine is cheaper than soda. Fly ryanair to travel on weekends for <50$ round trip |
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 |
I HAD to use Spanish at work because my boss didn't speak English. |
| 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? | high school spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | make local friends!!!! go to language meetups, take a class or join activity with locals |
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? | My one complaint is I wish I knew more about my actual internship position before I actually started. I only found out maybe a few weeks before I started what company I was even working for, and even so really was not prepared for the type of work I would be doing. Adelante stresses business casual attire until otherwise noted by supervisor, so I came to Spain with that wardrobe in mind only to find out I needed primarily swim and athletic wear. That being said my co-workers were extremely patient with my Spanish (my bosses did not speak English- another thing I was unaware of before showing up for my first day) and I really loved going in everyday to work with the autistic kids. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
