Amazing Past Review
By Selena Andrade (Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne / IPFW) - abroad from 05/31/2016 to 07/28/2016 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Summer in Madrid
I learned more terms in Spanish. I learned a lot about the Spanish culture.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I liked the university and the faculty was very nice and helpful. The pace was fast but doable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The coordinator was super helpful and was always there if I needed help with anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments I stayed in were abit out of the way, but it was in a very safe area. |
| * Food: |
Loved the patatas! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was kind of hard to meet people from Spain because a lot of them tend to leave for the summer. The rest of the cultural expectations were met! I loved the cultural activities that were planned like the dance and cooking workshops. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
While I was there, I got a throat infection. The hospital was very easy to find and the workers did everything possible to make my experience there run smoothly. The insurance paper work was easy to fill out! |
| * Safety: |
I had no safety issues there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Loved every aspect! |
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) |
Food was cheap. There was a lot of museums that offered student discounts! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you go to restaurants in a group split the cost. |
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? | 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? | 400 level |
| 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? | Always speak in the foreign language. Read as many books or newspapers as possible. |
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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| 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? | Food terms |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
