eh experience with CIEE Madrid Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/22/2019 to 06/06/2019 with
CIEE: Madrid - Liberal Arts
Yes! Though I wouldn't do the same program again I still think I had a valuable experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was rigorous for me as I had less experience with the language than many people in the program, but the actual rigor of the courses was not very great. If you're looking to learn a lot of Spanish you really get out what you put into it. |
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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? |
The apartment itself was nice but they put way too many people in our small space. 5 people to a 3 bedroom apartment with a small living room. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself and that was great! If you're living in a homestay you might run into more issues, I personally didn't love Spanish food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Again, you get out what you put in. I made a lot of friends in my neighborhood but the language barrier was difficult for me. There was a variety of experiences - some people made lots of friends from around the country and others exclusively interacted with other Americans |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Generally good, you will need to adjust to local cultural norms. Missing class without a doctors note is considered unacceptable in many cases. However, when I was sick it was easy to navigate the Spanish healthcare system as they have many English speaking doctors around the city. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Very affordable if you don't plan on leaving the country much. Madrid is one of the most cost-effective major cities in Europe, food is super inexpensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | not sure, likely 150/wk |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 104, four semesters of Spanish |
| 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? | Don't give up! You'll want to quit and you're gonna get tired but pushing yourself is the only way to get better. You CAN do it! |
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? | You WILL get daily Spanish headaches |
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. |
