Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/11/2017 to 05/11/2017 with

API (Academic Programs International): Madrid - Suffolk University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more of the language and how to be independent

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:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My on site program directors were quick and helpful, but my insurance was not accepted or applied and made my doctor's trip expensive.

* Safety:

I never felt like I was in danger, but I did find myself in a dangerous situation once because I was a girl alone in a city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I loved API and the local directors but I strongly disliked the school because it affected my experience negatively

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)

I did not budget well and the trip ended up costing me so much more money than I wanted or expected

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It varied depending on the week but probably 150-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? BUDGET

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Learning and living in the culture
* What could be improved?
  • the school, Suffolk, that I attended
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How important budgeting is, to save traveling for after the program (don't buy ticket home before leaving), and to pick a local Spanish school because the American school I attended hurt my experience

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 Urbanite
A 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.