Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Short but Sweet January 15, 2021

By (Lafayette College) - abroad from 01/19/2020 to 05/30/2020 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile! I learned more about the language, specifically colloquial words/phrases. I also learned a lot about myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very thorough orientation and knowledgable and available advisors.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a student apartment, and it was much bigger than expected!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I know a fair amount of Spanish, but the language barrier still provided some difficulties in terms of integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My advisor emailed back very quickly with appointment times and locations, and it was nearby. The doctors were kind and attentive. I felt very safe on this program, especially in terms of healthcare.

* Safety:

There's obviously always risks, but I honestly felt safer during nightlife in Madrid than in the USA. The biggest threat in Madrid is pickpocketing- know where all of your things are at all times. Otherwise, stick with groups after dark, but I never felt unsafe.

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

It was a very well organized and strong program with plenty of staff on hand to help with anything.

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)

Things in Madrid are not terribly expensive. It really depends on the amount you travel and go out to eat. I lived in an apartment, so groceries were an extra expense for me. My home institution also provided me the same financial aid I receive on campus, and that was very helpful.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you are buying your own groceries, have a plan for what you want to eat throughout the week and how much you actually need. It is easy to get carried away just wandering through a supermarket. Also, figure out how you want to balance travel and nightlife. Both can get expensive, but there are a lot of good deals if you're on the right websites!

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

Required Spanish class

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level Spanish course at Lafayette
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? Speaking it! On paper, I can read and write fine, but conversation is a different story. IES facilitates a program called Intercambio where you can interact with local students in Spanish and English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The availability of advisors
  • Many options for living situations
  • Group excursions in the beginning
* What could be improved?
  • This may sound weird, but they are big on trash/recycling and where it goes in Madrid. My roommates and I were unaware of how we should take out the trash, and our doorman knew no English to explain.
  • Arrival time is very specific at the start of the program. If you don't arrive within a period of a few hours, you are left to figure out how to get to your house/apartment on your own. It makes sense why it is so specific, but it could be widened a little in case of delays/complications. This happened to one of my roommates.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? One of my courses at the local university had no listed prerequisites, but it definitely required more of a background than I had! It ended up being very difficult, but IES provided tutoring that saved me.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.