Madrid allowed me to see Europe Past Review
By Stephanie M (Psychology, Tulane University) for
Complutense University of Madrid: Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The best experience I've ever had in my life. Exposed me to so many different cultures and people and helped for me to gain a broader view of the world.
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 education system in Madrid was very unorganized and the work load was minimum. The grading system was very subjective and I had absolutely no idea what my grades were going to be for my direct enrollment classes until they arrived. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Georgetown program was very supportive and I built a strong relationship with the director. The program was small in the fall and although it grew in the spring it was still a small size. They were very efficient, especially working within the Spanish system. The main objective of the program was the overall cultural integration and this was accomplished by different cultural activities around the city of Madrid and various trips to other areas of the country. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a "residencia" which was a hostel for just students. The majority of the students in the fall were international and in the spring they were americans (which I was not to happy about). But the laundry and food was provided. The location was fantastic, it was in the middle of the city. Although it was farther from the university, it was closer to all the other attractions of the city, which I preferred. |
| * Food: |
I didn't have any choice in my food, and the food was very heavy which I particularly don't like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We did a wine tasting class, traveled to Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Extremadura, Galicia, Toledo, and a few other cities around the country. We also saw many plays and sporting activites. We had mentors, that were Spanish students, who were our age that came on the trips and activities with us. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The only unsafe part with the pick pocketing, which is done without violence. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | None |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 304 (grammer course) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many people spoke English, but in the university and in daily interactions around the city Spanish was necessary and heavily used. I practiced the language in my classes, with my program director and friends. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Prepare to live in the best city and integrate yourself in the culture. Don't worry about the school work just enjoy. "No pasa nada" |
