Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

La vida loca! Past Review

By (Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 06/01/2015 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worth it! I think letting myself get lost with my friends and learning how to use a real map rather than GPS always ended with an interesting story! Overall, I expanded my cultural awareness and widened my horizons, which is a must-do in your 20s. The incredible experiences I had and the long-lasting relationships I made will always be a reminder of how incredible it is to open your mind and heart to a new culture and embrace the little things, like the slower pace of life, the impeccable fashion style, the great tapas and sangrias, and of course, the being casually late rule!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 if you want to go out and enjoy the city. If you're traveling you'd probably need a lot more
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? student (generally anyone under 25) in madrid get so many discounts. Make sure you look out for the novice or estudiante discount when booking trains and flights or just going to the theatre.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
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? talk with your host family or spanish friends. It can be intimidating but they really appreciate it when you try

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Food
  • IES trips
  • learning slang terms
* What could be improved?
  • better organize how students get their phones early on
  • start with survival spanish early or give students who never learned spanish a handout with terms they'll need on their first week
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Explore more locally! i know it's exciting to be in Europe and see all the other great countries but Spain has a lot to offer Make the effort to hang out with more Spanish students because it's very easy to get caught up in the IES/international students bubble

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.