Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I lived the best of my life! Past Review

By (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/17/2019 to 05/31/2019 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to travel cheap, to respect other cultures and learn about them.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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

The program is flexible with the courses you want to take and most of the credits are transferred to your home university. The staff in Madrid were amazing and they will be always there for you.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not eat in fancy restaurants, try to go to the closest market instead. Never buy a bottle water over 2€

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Making new friends
* What could be improved?
  • Plan more activities with Spanish students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That your grade depends in 2 exams.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'