An incredible experience in Spain full of new friends and culture immersion Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2017 to 12/18/2016 with
UC3M / Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about living in a city independently, as well as the Spanish culture and language. It was extremely 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I thought it was the perfect balance between going to a Spanish university and meeting and learning with Spanish kids as well as Americans and international students. Also got to make new friends from all over the country but also new friends from my home university, which was great. |
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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking for yourself instead of eating out all the time helps save 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 |
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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? | I had completed two 300 level Spanish courses. |
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? | Practice speaking with as many native speakers as possible while you are there. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
* 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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Just how hard it would be to find an apartment in the city. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Society and the Environment |
Course Department: | Sociology |
Instructor: | Mercedes Pardo Buendia |
Instruction Language: | Spanish |
Comments: | The class was very easy but still beneficial, and the professor is great. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Cinema and Television in Spain |
Course Department: | Cinema |
Instructor: | Juan Carlos IbaƱez Fernandez |
Instruction Language: | Spanish |
Comments: | The class was a bit challenging but very interesting. Learned a lot about the history of Spain through a cinema lens. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary History |
Course Department: | History |
Instructor: | Beatriz de las Heras Herrero |
Instruction Language: | Spanish |
Comments: | I learned a lot about contemporary world history. We just had one big exam at the end of the semester. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spanish Syntax |
Course Department: | Spanish Language |
Instructor: | Beatriz del Valle |
Instruction Language: | Spanish |
Comments: | The class had an emphasis on grammar. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |