Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Solid Overall wish it was not only U.S. university students March 08, 2026

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2025 to 12/19/2025 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I enjoyed meeting lots of new people. I got to experience different cultures and speak and learn with people from different backgrounds, which allowed me to see what life is kinda like outside of the U.S.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt like the classes varied in difficulty, but the ones I took were definitely intense. Attendance was very strict, and there was a fair amount of outside work required for assignments and assessments.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I did no do housing through IES

* Food:

Food was independent but it was good

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got sick a few times and it was a smooth process

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

It was solid, but I wish it had not been only with U.S. university students. I had friends from other schools who went to international colleges there, and that seemed more like the school experience I wish I could have had. I wanted to meet a more diverse group of people and more students who are full-time in Spain, even while the courses are taught in English. I would have still gone to the same country again because I loved that part of the experience, but the program itself was not my favorite for these reasons.

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)

It was pretty hard but even the staff were saying how prices in the area had increase so much just from last year

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200ish not sure exactly
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save a lot of money before hand so your able to also do activities when you are there.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
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? The way for me was by talking to people and going into the town

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • I liked the topics of some of my classes and I loved being in Spain
  • I liked not having classes on Fridays for the most part
* What could be improved?
  • communication could be better / the platform they used for it
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it was going to be with mostly U.S students.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'