Mi Aventura Fabulosa en Madrid! Past Review
By A student (Providence College) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
Hamilton College: Madrid - Academic Year in Spain
I learned a lot about myself and the type of person I am. I gained a new knowledge of the Spanish language, and an insight into a foreign world. It was more than worthwhile. It is an experience I will take with me forever.
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 classes were sufficient to an international immersion, but not like the demanding course load at Providence College. It left ample time for exploring and travelling the city. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were there to help us with any issues. There were a few areas left fuzzy, such as receiving a monthly metro pass, but overall they kept us informed and looked out for our well being. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a host family was the most perfect experience. We were matched well, to suit each others needs. I experienced a home away from home. |
| * Food: |
I lived with the best cook in all of Madrid. Furthermore, I was able to experience traditional Spanish meals, rather than fend for myself with campus food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Spanish Only Pledge and living with an authentic family allowed me to integrate sufficiently. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I luckily had not problems, but through my friends' experiences, they were taken care of immediately. We also had our health insurance cards on us at all times. |
| * Safety: |
In my opinion, safety is an issue left to the student. Our campus was locked and secured, as were our homes. But at the end of the day, safety is solely the responsibility of the traveler. |
| 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 was difficult to live on a student's budget. Living at a home stay, where meals were prepared for us, was a relief. But travel throughout the city was difficult. Furthermore, the two week vacation period was too long. Since we were not used to feeding ourselves or paying for lodging, two weeks was an expensive period to be out of Madrid. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget plan before you leave. And always have the conversions to dollars at the back of your head. If you travel for an extended period of time, try to limit yourself to eating out only once a day and doing cheaper, easier meals to get you through. |
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 |
We were required to sign a "Spanish Only Pledge" and my host mother only knew Spanish. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPN 210 |
| 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? | Do not be afraid to use it and practice whenever possible. Have conversations outside of meals with your Senora. And take advantage of the exchange programs the college will offer you. Do not wander around being an American! When ordering food or shopping, use your Spanish. |
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? | How to budget a eurotrip! And how to plan my days. At the beginning, there were times where I would stay at home, because I was unsure how to navigate the city and did not know everyone as well. I wish I had forced myself to explore more. |
