The most Challenging and Rewarding semester-of-a-lifetime Past Review
By Jonathan B (Psychology/Spanish, Tulane University) - abroad from 01/14/2012 to 06/17/2012 with
Complutense University of Madrid: Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
So much. So so so worthwhile.
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. |
We had a very legitimate program, taking classes with Spanish students at UCM. However, overall the academic semester was less work than a usual semester at Tulane |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were incredible, especially Amy and Mamen. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing agency did an excellent job placing us in our homestays for the first month, and it was really easy to find housing after that. |
| * Food: |
Not a huge fan of Spanish food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I lived with Spaniards and made some Spanish friends, but I still felt much more comfortable with other Americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never came up. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safer in Madrid than in New Orleans, but I have some friends that had either coats stolen at discotecas or even a roommate of my friend stealing her emergency cash stash |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
It's tough to be frugal while exploring a new culture and a new continent. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 when you add in travel throughout the semester |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you live with Spaniards, try to stay in with them some nights instead of hitting up the discotecas with American friends. You'll get closer to your roommates and also save some dinero |
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 |
Very encouraging and very supportive. I couldn't have asked for a better staff |
| 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? | Spanish Lit |
| 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? | Make Spanish friends. If you don't like your intercambio, get a new one. I stuck around with mine and didn't like him too much, so I didn't feel the urge to hang out with him and practice my Spanish language skills. Remind your Spanish roommates that you're in their country to practice their language, not the other way around |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I should have practice Spanish more. |
