Madrid is the place to learn about European culture with a Spanish flair:) December 20, 2024
By Carol K (Politics and International Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/29/2024 to 12/06/2024 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
I learned a lot about what I am looking for in a community and how to create one if I cannot find it.
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. |
As a native spanish speaker, the classes were much easier for me to follow and quickly learn the material, compared to my classmates. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I am Kosher and the program did not have any Kosher options during programming so I was vegetarian during events. Aside from this, I made my own meals in my kitchen. |
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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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| * Safety: |
Madrid is a very safe city, especially for women, but that does NOT mean you should lower your guard. I was followed multiple times home, but I met some friends from the apartment buildings behind me and they began walking me home after nights out. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would not have done a program, but rather a direct exchange to take classes with Spanish students rather than American students |
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) |
Madrid is not the cheapest city, but if you meal prep and budget well, you can spend approx. 50-100 USD per week, sometimes even less. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-100 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a spreadsheet and write down all of your expenses during your time abroad. Each week, sit down for 15 minutes, review your average spending of that week, and budget from there. I recommend also finding free events in the city (which there are a TON of!) |
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? | Fluent |
| 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? | AP Spanish Language |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | There is a community for you, even if it'll take a while to find it. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
