Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Maya's Madrid Study Abroad Experience Past Review

By (Health Sciences General, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/17/2017 to 07/07/2017 with

Boston University: Madrid - Internship Program, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely feel more independent and confident from simply being away from my family, friends, home, and school. I also achieved some academic and professional goals, and made many new, close friends. It was definitely worthwhile.

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.

* 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?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? On average, probably 100 dollars/week (on food, travel on the weekends, other items like clothes/souvenirs, etc.)

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? HISP106
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? Stay with a homestay if you can, and only speak to them in the language. That is the main way I improved my language, even though I also had a class and an internship where I only spoke Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked the small size, the internship component, the schedule, and the homestay.
* What could be improved?
  • I think the orientation could have been more organized and informative once we were there.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that I didn't have to be nearly as nervous as I was during the few days before the program started and during the first few days there.