Short Program, Endless Memories Past Review
By Deborah F (Child Development., Tufts University) - abroad from 05/18/2014 to 06/28/2014 with
IES Abroad: Madrid Summer - Language & Cultural Studies
I learned that experiencing other countries with people your own age is very valuable. You see a side of the city that you simply can't with family.
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. |
Deciding to study over the summer was a great idea because the academics were relaxed and the Spanish students were not busy with schoolwork and were more available to show us the city. For the IES Madrid Summer program, you are required to take one grammar and conversation class, and one elective. The grammar class is great for brushing up on how Spaniards speak vs. what you may have learned in class. For my elective class I took an Art History course that met in the Prado three days a week. How often do you get to learn about famous paintings while standing right in front of them?! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All of the staff is so warm and welcoming, too. My professors and the directors of the IES Center were funny and outgoing, and made a point of getting to know every student to help them improve their Spanish, which I hope to use in the professional world when I graduate. I would have liked if the IES Center/classes were a bit more centralized on the Universidad Complutense campus. It isn’t a long walk to get over to where more Spanish students are taking classes, but it was more isolated than I would’ve hoped. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
One of my favorite parts of this program was the homestay experience. My host mom—or señora—was an incredible woman who cooked me amazing meals and made me laugh every day. IES does a great job of matching you up with a señora whose English abilities match your Spanish abilities. So, another girl on my program didn’t speak a lot of Spanish, so her host mom spoke a bit of English in case they got into any communicative confusion. My Spanish skills were much higher, and my señora didn’t speak a word of English! I did some of my best learning over long dinner conversations, and we still keep in touch via email. That’s not say that it wasn’t an awkward or even scary transition to living with someone else in a completely different country. It can be hard to get used to following your señora’s rules and customs, but once you do it becomes routine and you just enjoy the immersive experience and learn to laugh at the times that you can’t understand one another. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program is short, only about 2 months, but that means that all of the students on the program are really trying to make the most of everything. Everyone tries to go on every trip (there are two organized by IES) and takes advantage of every opportunity (free additional cooking classes, flamenco classes, guided tours of the Palacio Real, etc.). IES also organizes tons of activities with Spanish students at the university so that you really get to immerse yourself in the Madrid culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just be careful about pick-pockets. Keep your hand on your bag at all times and you'll be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | Not sure. About 50 euro. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find places that you like to eat that are cheap, and go there at least once a week. |
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 |
All classes conducted in Spanish, and the program directors don't let you speak English! A homestay is the best way to learn and use the language. |
| 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? | Spanish 22 at Tufts University. Like 2 classes above AP Spanish in high school |
| 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? | Watch movies and television shows! |
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? | Don't overpack! Bring clothes for all weather but you don't need a lot. |
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.' |
