Madrid was a great experience, but the USA will always have my heart. Past Review
By Gina B (Humanities, Providence College) for
CIEE: Madrid - Liberal Arts
It was worthwhile because I completed my Spanish minor and definitely improved my Spanish a bit.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Carlos III |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I personally did not like the university and educational system there. The workload was fine but the grading system was not explained very well. The teaching methods were extremely boring (especially because they were an hour and a half long each). We weren't always treated like we weren't fluent spanish speakers. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very friendly and helpful but sometimes I felt like I was 5 years old. The program size was perfect. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host family cooked healthy, delicious food for me.O |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to the Canary Islands for a weekend. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling is a very high expense. Public transportation is as well. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Spanish at school and with my host family. My host mom spoke english though too. Most people did speak English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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