It was great! September 21, 2024
By A student (Global Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/18/2024 to 05/18/2024 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
I got much more confident in my spanish and with living abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed living in madrid. It's an amazing city and the program was super supportive and made my experience great. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration of my program was very effective. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My dorm at caso do Brasil was great. I loved the location and the people there. |
| * Food: |
Spanish food is yummy and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Madrid culture was super open and there's so much to do all the time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the doctor twice and they were super helpful and efficient. |
| * Safety: |
Madrid is the safest city I've lived in. I never had any concerns |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I love living in madrid |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I travelled a lot so depending on the week 200$. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save a lot before going. |
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 |
I took spanish class twice a week and they had a bunch of the optional immersion opportunities. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 300 |
| 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? | Start doing dueling early and don't be scared to practice with strangers. |
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? | Nothing, I liked the learning experience |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
