Carlos III: Get your Spanish on! Past Review

By (HISTORY., University of California - Merced) for

UC3M / Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
As a result of studying abroad, I have applied to the Peace Corps since I now am confident in my ability to be independent in a foreign setting.

Review Photos

UC3M /  Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo UC3M /  Universidad Carlos III de Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was one of the few students who chose to live in Getafe, rather than Madrid, and I was very happy with my choice for its convenience and community lifestyle.

* Food:

Bocadillos Extremeños de Getafe is cheap and right next to campus.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Since breakfast and dinner were provided, I only had to buy lunch. Don't eat-out often. Go local and take advantage of the inexpensive and delicious bread and ham or chorizo from supermarkets, such as Al Campo.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPAN 180
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Great program for Spanish language students who don't think they're quite ready for an immersion program, but still want to be immersed in host-country culture through a home stay

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Medio ambiente y sociedad en Espana

Course Department: GEOG 129
Instructor: Agustín Gamir Orueta; Carlos Manuel Valdés
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: 3 interesting and relevant field trips to Segovia and around the city of Madrid. Agustín and Carlos are wonderful professors
Credit Transfer Issues: I received credit for my Spanish minor after submitting completed course assignments.