Go to Madrid! Home of fine dining, fine people and fine nightlife. Past Review
By Beckylee D (PSYCHOLOGY., Tufts University) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
Of course it was worthwhile. I got to explore an incredible new city (and country) and really get a hold on the Spanish language.
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 classes were very easy, since they had to accommodate students who had never taken Spanish before and students who were fluent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were so nice! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Perfect. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was a personal effort though. There were people who were not interested and did not get to experience much of Spain. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
there are 1 euro food nights almost every night of the week! |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~15 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find the deals. Cien montaditos has 1 euro wednesday, taco bell has 2 euro tuesday, etc. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 35 |
| 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? | Make local friends! |
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? | Not to go on a sidetrip with European Vibe. Horrible. |
