Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best six weeks of my life! July 21, 2022

By (Language and Area studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/19/2022 to 06/29/2022 with

IES Abroad: Madrid Summer - Language & Cultural Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program was most definitely worthwhile. It can be a challenge at first, but you learn quickly that you can overcome it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Taking two courses was easy to balance with living amongst the culture and enjoying the city/traveling around the country.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The program was not as immersive as I was hoping. Because of covid, there were no home-stay options, so I lived in a college residence. Besides courses and general interactions in the country, everyone spoke English and the overall experience was not very immersive in terms of language.

* Food:

Food is very cheap and delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As long as you make an effort to explore and try new things, Spain has so much to offer!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have to use any health care systems.

* Safety:

Besides having to be constantly aware of pick pocketing, Spain is a very safe country.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I really enjoyed my classes (especially my professors) and I saw and tried so many new things! Spanish life really agrees with me and it is a nice change from life in the US/as a college student.

Finances

* 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)

Everything is generally really cheap except for travel. I traveled to different cities every weekend because there were only two scheduled trips through IES. Between train tickets and finding places to stay, I spent a lot of money. Otherwise, living is very minimal.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to limit how much you go out and travel.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

They encouraged us, but not everyone spoke to each other in Spanish. We spoke to each other (other members of the IES program) in English.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? HISP 106
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? If there is a home stay option in the future, that will be the best way to ensure you are constantly in an environment where Spanish is spoken.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The other IES students
  • Local life
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • More IES paid trips
  • Longer program (7-8 weeks)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You are going to spend a lot more money than you think.

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 Urbanite
A 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.