Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

YOLSAMO (You Only Study Abroad in Madrid Once) Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Inevitably, I got as close to fluency as I ever will, and a better understanding of Spanish culture. Although I didn't befriend that many native Spaniards, I did make friends for life from the IES program. I learned how to be more spontaneous and open-minded.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

My host mom's apartment was very nice and secure, but my relationship with her was not ideal. She moved to Madrid only a month prior to my arrival, and was living on a tight budget. I'm not sure if we ever connected, which I was hoping to have going in to her home.

* Food:

Food provided by the program (welcome and ending meals) was fantastic. Homestay food was not authentic/satisfying.

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes

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? Intermediate
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? SPN 327W Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition: Writing
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The IES staff was always more than willing ot help you out if you ever had a problem/question. Very approachable.
  • IES trips were always well organized and fun.
* What could be improved?
  • The least enjoyable aspect of my time there was my housing situation. By the end date, my roommate and I were acquaintances at best, and I never felt that close with my host family (just 1 older lady, my senora), either. I would recommend to IES to be more selective of the host families.College kids don't want to live with grandmas. .
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how to carry out the same enthusiasim and eagerness that I initially had for exploring Madrid and meeting people throughout the semester. I spent too much time in my comfort zone during the middle of the semester, wasting hours just staying in my room. I wish I had known how fast the most incredible experience of my life was going to go.