I Loved Madrid Past Review
By Liz M (Communication and Media Studies., Villanova University) for
Boston University: Madrid - Madrid Internship
Yes. Completely 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. |
The work was hard than I thought it was going to be but definitely doable. The professors were eager to help all students. They understood that the students were not fluent Spanish speakers and taught to this level. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone who worked in the office at BU Madrid were extremely helpful and understanding. Ray Green, the director of the program, was awesome. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved my host family. I lived in the center of the city only two blocks from the Institute. |
| * Food: |
The food in Spain is delicious. My host family was extremely generous with food. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our program took us to Cordoba, Toledo, El Escorial, and Segovia. Each trip was better than the last. Of course, there are also tons of cultural events and places to see in Madrid that I would recommend to anyone thinking of going to Madrid for a semester to study or a few days simply to travel. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Madrid was extremely safe. Although many people say pickpocketing is an issue, I never felt like my wallet was at risk. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Spanish in all my classes and with my host family. Unfortunately, I spoke English at my internship and with friends, which did not let me practice my Spanish as much as I would have enjoyed. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
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? | Go to Madrid. |
