The best semester as an engineering major Past Review
By A student (Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering., Santa Clara University) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
It's incredible how different cultures in other developed countries are and the only was to see those differences is to live in that culture.
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. |
The classes at the engineering school were pretty tough, but the IES Madrid center did a great job at making sure we succeeded. We had tutors for all of our classes and they made it clear that if there was anything else they could do, to let them know and they would do it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. They were always smiling and you could tell that they were enjoying what they did. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an apartment with other students and I loved it. The location was great and independence even better. |
| * Food: |
Food in Madrid is pretty great, there are TONS of places to eat and a good variety too. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I joined a local sports team and made friends with Spanish students so sometimes it felt like I actually lived in Madrid. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have to use the insurance at any point, I know some people that did and they had to pay first and later get a refund.. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe. |
| 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) |
Since I lived in an apartment and not with a family, I made all my own meals so had to buy my own groceries. It wasn't super expensive and there were always cheap places to buy a meal if you really didn't feel like cooking. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget starting day 1! Keep track of how much you spend per day. |
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? | Fluent |
| 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? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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?
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? | plan what trips you want to do before arriving |
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! |
