Unexpected Discoveries in Madrid Past Review
By Tyler C (Social Studies, Harvard University) for
Boston University: Madrid - Spanish Studies Program, Summer
Yes, I got a taste of life outside of the US and learned how much I love the country I live in. My Spanish also improved a lot and I learned I love art history.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload was extremely light. Grading was fair. Cindy Mack and her method of teaching art history in the museums was fantastic and her class was extremely enjoyable. The other instructor was not as good but still average. A lot less work and a lot easier than Harvard. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great staff. Trips around Spain were awesome. Fosters a very relaxed environment and they really encourage you to immerse yourself in Spanish culture. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived really far outside the city and had a major commute, which was often very annoying and frustrating. That said my family was incredible and they, more than anything else, contributed to my large improvement in speaking Spanish. |
| * Food: |
Teresa was a great cook, although Spanish food is not the world's best. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Amazing trips to Sevilla and Toledo. Dinners in Madrid and various other cultural activities as a group. The BU program has a reimbursement deal where you get money back for cultural activities, this is amazing and saves you a lot of money. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Madrid is a very safe city at all times of the day and night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Museums and various cultural activities can be really expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 65: Artes Bilingues |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family and the professors, yes I used the host language in everyday interactions. Most people did not speak English, but the students did far too much. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Students with a strong grasp of Spanish and no fear of talking to natives and looking foolish. People who really want to get a chance to experience Spanish culture. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary Spanish Culture and History |
| Course Department: | SP 304 |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Informative but not as much as I wanted. Tomas is an enthusiastic but ineffectual teacher. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Art in the Prado |
| Course Department: | SP 300 |
| Instructor: | Cindy Mack |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Fantastic! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
