The Best Decision of My Life Past Review
By Amanda Lack (Illinois Wesleyan University) - abroad from 09/04/2016 to 12/10/2017 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
I improved my spanish, learned about culture, and most importantly learned about myself. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.
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. |
Not super rigorous coursework but interesting course material and the professors are great! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Angel and Yolanda are the best!!! They, and the rest of the administration are so kind and willing to help with whatever needs you might have while in Madrid. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was great. She wasn't super imposing which I liked but I was expecting more of a "family" feel when I signed up for a homestay. She was friendly but never super open or overly warm. She always made really great food though and provided for all of my needs. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I LOVE MADRID SO VERY MUCH. I would jump at any opportunity to go back there and re-live my experience with IES and with the city as a while. |
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? | about 30 Euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out all of the time... make use of "alimentación" shops to save money. This is also a great way to truly experience the culture. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 324 |
| 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? | Challenge yourself to speak Spanish all the time.. regardless of whether or not others are doing it. Doing so will really improve your language abilities and it will be well worth it in the end. |
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? | Enjoy every moment! It goes by so quickly! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
