My Wonderful IES Madrid Experience June 16, 2025
By Matthew M (Business Administration, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/15/2025 to 05/10/2025 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
I was able to gain a ton of perspective on how different cultures and different parts of Europe live, and it was really fun to see cool places and experience amazing thigns with great people.
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. |
Classes were not too hard, teachers were pretty laid back, but very helpful and resourceful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were fine, some annoying rules that limited the experience, but overall okay. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The building was fine. Once again, restricting rules that diminished the experience a little bit. Along with the implied amenities that we did not receive or have access to. The rooms were good, bed was big, and having our own bathrooms was nice. |
| * Food: |
I cooked a lot and then ate out the rest of the time, either when we were in Spain or elsewhere. I never ate on campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Pretty good. Besides the fact that over half the building was abroad kids, you definitely get the feeling that you are in Spain |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
All good, all you had to do was go to the hospital near campus, and they would take care of you. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe while I was there. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Madrid, and the program overall was a good way to experience the city. Yes I have some tweaks and things that I didnt love, but overall, I had an amazing 4 months. |
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) |
It can get pretty expensive, but that really just comes down to how much you travel and go out. If you cook and dont go out much, it can easily be 100-150/week. But I knew that i would be doing a lot of traveling and activities, so my budget was higher. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would say roughly 300-400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget sheet. It can be a basic one where you track your total weekly/trip expenses, or you can make a full Excel sheet to help show what your spending on, but anything so you can keep track and know when you either need to cut back or can spend a little more. |
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 |
It was helpful, we were required to take a spanish course that was our level, and it definitely helped the experience. |
| 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? | Middle School |
| 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? | Force yourself to use it when youre out (ordering food, asking for directions, talking to taxi driver, etc.) |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Force yourself to be uncomfortable, try new things, meet new people. Put yourself out there and dont be afraid to spend a little extra to enhance your 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. |
