Studying Has Never Been More Fun Past Review
By Robin Granberry (Rice University) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/05/2018 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
It was 100% worthwhile, I would recommend it to anyone even considering going abroad. Not only is it a fantastic way to learn a new language and get to experience a new culture (and broadening your ideas beyond just those of your own country can be extremely enlightening and important), but you also learn so much about yourself. Having to support yourself away from your friends and your family and your culture really forces you to grow as an individual, to learn about what you truly value, and to gain more confidence in yourself.
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. |
While the local university classes were very challenging, the courses offered by IES often felt a lot easier and I didn't think I learned a lot from them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration for the most part was very accomadating and helpful - the only problems I ever had were with trying to coordinate classes at the local university. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was large and nice, with amenities and air conditioning. It was also in a very good neighborhood. |
| * Food: |
The food was very good, although much of it could be very expensive, as is expected for Europe |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many opportunities to engage with the local culture; however, living in an apartment with 5 other Americans, and having classes that were only with Americans, I felt like there wasn't as much immersion as there might have been. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any issues with health care or vaccinations |
| * Safety: |
Madrid felt very safe, I never had any issues with violence or being afraid to go out in the city by myself. The only problem people in my program had was pick-pocketing, which is prevalent in the city, especially around tourist areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although there were several issues with IES, as stated in the previous answers, it was overall an extremely positive experience and I met many new people that I hope to remain friends with. |
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) |
Although Spain is cheaper than other European cities like Paris, it is still very expensive to buy food and eat out, especially if you want to go to bars or clubs, where a single drink can cost upwards of 12 euros. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably between 200 and 300 euros, depending on if I went on a trip, or went out on the weekends. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking your own food can help save a lot of money, because eating out in restaurants can be expensive. |
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 |
Although they encouraged us to speak the language, most of the students spoke English and there was almost no attempts to stop that. |
| 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? | A 400 level Spanish course |
| 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? | Definitely make sure to meet locals and try to spend a lot of time with them - although I practice my Spanish in class and occasionally in public, the only way to truly improve your speaking, listening, and vocabulary is to really spend time with the people that live there and learn from them. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish that I knew how much time it will take before you begin to feel comfortable, much less happy and easy. I expected to have made close friends and know the city in the first few weeks, and because that was my expectation, I felt disappointed and like I'd done something wrong when I hadn't reached that level. But you have to give yourself time to settle in and meet the right people, it's not going to happen right away, so don't be hard on yourself. |
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! |
