Study Abroad In Madrid, Spain: A Time Of Wonder And Excitement Past Review
By Miles Nabritt (Bates College) - abroad from 08/27/2019 to 12/04/2020 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
Before I went abroad to Madrid, Spain, I had many reservations about what my experience would be. With only traveling out of the United States two times beforehand, I thought that living in Europe for an extended period of time was always going to be challenging. I was afraid that not only I would react poorly to my new surroundings but also I would not enjoy being away from home for so long. However, as I adjusted to life in Madrid I found that the reservations that I had were simply doubts. Throughout my time abroad, I was able to become immersed in the city’s culture by eating at various restaurants, visiting many important monuments and public sites, and learning about the historical significance of Spain in my program’s classes. Most importantly, I met a wide variety of people who were kind, generous, sympathetic, and open. Through study abroad, I was amazed by how I became more aware of the world around me as I was able to make life long friends and have many memorable experiences. I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to have studied abroad in such a beautiful, dynamic, and encapsulating country.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Great courses, I really learned a lot about the political, social, and historical significance of Spain. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Abroad center in Madrid was a fantastic program and center. The staff and administration were all so nice and welcoming. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very pleased with my housing in the dorms. It was very comfortable and convenient to get to and from my classes and travel around the city. |
| * Food: |
Excellent food when I went out to eat but at the dorms, it depended on which night for me to eat there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the social scene there. Everybody was so open and inclusive whether it was in class, in the stores, in the restaurants, everybody was very hospitable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
IES Abroad approached health care very seriously. They wanted to make sure that the students were well aware of the medical resources that were available for us if needed. |
| * Safety: |
It was incredibly safe in Madrid, Spain. No matter it was early in the day and or late at night it was safe walking, taking the metro, and traveling around the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I believe that my experience at IES Abroad was fantastic. The staff, the students, and the people that I met were incredible. From all the classes that I took, to all the places that I visited, and to all the adventures that I had it truly was a wonderful experience overall. |
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) |
I was able to leave very comfortably on the budget that my parents gave me. As I learned where I wanted to eat and got accustomed to the neighborhood, I knew how to spend my money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe around $100-120 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I recommend no how much you want to spend per day and don't get carried away by the attractions and all the fanciful stores that are there in Madrid. |
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 believe that the program was very strict about speaking in Spanish all the time. During the first few days of Spanish, my professors made all students sign contracts pledging them to speak in Spanish all the time. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 211 Introducción a los estudios literarios |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I truly believe the more a person puts effort into learning and practicing Spanish the more that person will see improvement. Whether it is in class, in restaurants, or even on the street asking for directions any interaction with a native Spanish-speaker will help increase fluency. |
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? | I know now the importance of traveling abroad. I believe that being in a place for an extended period of time has helped me become more humble and more appreciative of learning another language and going to a school that has given me so much opportunity. |
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. |
