Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The experience of a lifetime Past Review

By (St. Norbert College) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/17/2018 with

CEU San Pablo University: Study Abroad in Madrid - Humanities at CEU

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I advanced in my language tenfold, and it was because I forced myself into situations where I would make friends and speak the language. I gained so many friends that I will surely stay in contact with and want to come visit me and vice versa.

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?

Incredible!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would 100% stay if I could, that is how much I have enjoyed myself here.

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? Less than $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you are living in a colegio mayor, eat in the cafeteria as much as possible and refrain from going to the supermarket unless it is for a few snacks. The cafeteria will feed you just fine. You will save boat loads of money.

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

If you are living in a colegio mayor, it is required that you know Spanish, you will get so much better.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 400 (senior capstone)
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talk with everyone. You are pretty much forced to make friends because you come in alone and have to adapt. It is a little awkward at first, but gets so much better once you involve yourself. A way that I did this is I participated in volleyball and basketball and made most of close friends through those sports, but everyone is open to being friends, you just need to find the ones that will be your friends outside of mealtimes and classes, because that is when you will really learn all of the phrases and fun stuff.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people (colegio mayor y la universidad)
  • The nightlife with my local friends
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • communication of exam dates
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To bring a suit!!! hahaha there were a lot of occasions where I wish I had one.

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 Urbanite
A 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.