Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Experience was great, the program was disappointing. Past Review

By (Global Studies and Health Policy and Managemen (HPM), Providence College) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/10/2013 with

Boston University: Madrid - Madrid Internship

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
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.

I was very disappointed in the academics, specifically the professors. The professors were not helpful and they were not accessible. They did not explain their grading scale which consisted of zero partial credit; even if you have 90% of the answer correct it was deemed incorrect because no partial credit was given. They were very vague about tests and assignments for the class, even when asked about.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were fine, no complaints, but nothing to brag about.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great! My favorite part of the abroad experience was my homestay.

* Food:

Excellent, I loved everything!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was socially and culturally integrated by my homestay family, but I think the program did a very poor job integrating the american students among the spanish students. There was no exposure.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

no health issues!

* Safety:

Pick pocketers, but if you are smart and caucious you were fine

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

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)

Things are expensive abroad, but there are student discounts and cheap but good resturants

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up a lot before you go!

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

A decent amount. All of my classes were in spanish along with an internship as well. However, they did not expose us to any spanish students, therefore conversationally in an informal setting my spanish is still weak.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Conversational Spanish 210
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? Get an intercambio!!!!

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Homestay
  • Weekend trips
* What could be improved?
  • Program
  • Classes
  • Professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That Madrid is an overwhelming city and I think I would have been happier in a smaller city in Spain. Also, that my classes were not going to be with spanish students, instead I was in a classroom filled with american students, which is what I didn't want.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.