Balancing Engineering Classes with Travel Past Review
By A student (Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 06/01/2016 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
The biggest thing I learned from my experience studying in Madrid is that the world is much bigger than we think. There is so much history and culture that can be unlocked by just learning another language, and usually learning a language is easier when immersed in the environment.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses itself were very difficult, especially the lab sessions. However, IES provided students with private tutoring sessions with the Engineering professors which were great opportunities to meet with professors similar to Office Hours. Make sure to go to these! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Abroad office did everything they could to help students with any problems, ranging from emotional stress, housing issues, and course help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was incredibly welcoming and helped me adjust to the Spanish culture. I spoke very little Spanish and she spoke no English, so while this was concerning at first, we quickly grew to understand each other. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Madrid is very safe in terms of "tough" crime. Be wary of pick-pocketers on the trains, metro, but it is not more common than in any other major city. |
| 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) |
I was provided with 2 meals by my hostmother, and usually only had to buy lunch. I was not allowed to cook, so had to eat outside, but was able to spend about 10 Euros a day and be fine. I recommend a sandwich shop near the UC3M campus called Rodilla. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60-70 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The food in bars are pretty cheap, especially Bocadillos, which are very filling and can go for less than 5 euros. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | High school Spanish |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes with the language. I wish I had tried to speak to strangers more, as Spanish people are mostly very friendly and welcoming. If you are nervous, try on children or other college students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I had tried to speak the language to the local students more. For the first few months I was afraid of making a mistake. However, these are Spanish students that are mostly going out of their way to learn a subject in a foreign language(English) so if they can do it, so can I. |
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! |
