A Transition for my Spanish and Myself June 21, 2022
By Manolis C (Political Science, Sociology, Hispanic Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/10/2022 to 05/06/2022 with
Boston University: Madrid - Madrid Internship
Yes it was very worthwhile. Got to meet so many new people and got exposed to a lot of different type of culture. Gained language skill and life skills just becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were challenging as I was reading and learning in a different language. But I found the program and syllabus of multiple of my teachers a little disorganized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Friendly and available yet disorganized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Family was friendly enough but did feel like they made an effort to make me feel at home. |
| * Food: |
The host family had 4 children and fed very small portions that were not substantial enough to get me through the day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Comfortable yet never fully adjusted. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare very easy and accesible had a very easy time getting medication and setting up an appointment with a doctor when I was sick. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe, just a little petty theft. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Maybe if my Spanish had been a bit better I would have liked to get to know and take classes with the local Spanish students. |
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) |
Very easy for the most part. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not go out every weekend |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Hisp 108 |
| 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? | Watch the news with host fam, Read, and get into as many social situations as possible |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Its important to take on your own passions and try to find them in the city to give you a sense of routine so that you do not feel isolated in a foreign place. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
