Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester to Remember Past Review

By (Nursing and Spanish, James Madison University) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/13/2014 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Every I learned and gained was worthwhile. I would not change my experience for anything

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.

I wasn't quite used to the Spanish way of school and this made it a little hard for me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Amazing! Loved everyone of them.

* 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

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)

Depends on how you use your money.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save up more than you think you need especially if you plan on travelling. Also, plan out how much money you have to spend for each week.

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

They encouraged us a lot.

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? A 400 course
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 worry if you are really bad to start or haven't studied. You will get back into it really quickly and will learn a lot more while you are abroad.

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

  • 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?
  • Staff
  • Activities
  • City
* What could be improved?
  • Organization in classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I shouldn't worry about anything because everything was going to be amazing.