Great growing and learning experience. Past Review
By Silvia C (Finance Management, Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
It was very worthwhile, however I didn't like that it was to americanized.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad Complutense de Madrid |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I grade it as average because one of my clases in UCM was very interesting, challenging, and a very good learning experience. The other ones were a joke. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IES staff is amazing. Very helpful, always willing to give you a hand in anything they can. They make your study abroad experience much better. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location of my house was perfect. Very close to school, it was very residential so many other students, not only from the program, but friends I made in Madrid lived around the same area. Very confortable because there was many grossery stores around. The neighborhood was very nice, not much noice, nice places to go eat. We had the metro right next to our apartment, also the bus stop was right in front of our door. The apartment we stayed at was huge and had very nice rooms, living rooms, and restrooms. |
| * Food: |
I cooked. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You get to travel a lot which is great. Also,if you go out with people out of the program you will meet many many people, spanish as well as foreigns. If you only stay with the people in the program you will only hang out with Americans and don't experience the spanish culture as well as the study abroad experience at all. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I got sick in Madrid once and the health programs wasn't that good, I remember we called the doctors or the health insurance to see what doctor could I go too, and the hospitals near by didnt had no idea of what the insurance was about. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approximately in food I will say that 15 euros a week in grossery shopping. Personal expense I think that depends on what you like to do. If you like partying be prepared to waste a lot of money because clubs are very very fun but a bit expensive, the entrance costs from 20-35 euros only the cover and then 6-12 euros a drink. Eating depends where you go, but you can pay from 10 euros to 20 euros a meal. Most of my personal expenses where traveling, so I would sugest that you buy your plane or train tickets with time and you will find very cheap ones in any of this webpages (easyjet, ryanair). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I didn't had any unanticipated expense so I wouldnt be able to say any personal experience. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go with someone you know, that would help you adapt to the country your going abroad to. That way you can travel, go out, and have fun together. You would be able to share your experiences with someone you know. |
