Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Many Opportunities September 16, 2022

By (Spanish, History, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - 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?
My experience was certainly worthwhile: I gained Spanish language knowledge/skills, contact with high quality professors, confidence in navigating a new culture and city on my own, and much more.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Great resources and opportunities to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting, all professors are extremely qualified - and great people to chat with!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Staff was friendly and organized, plus managing the pandemic.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone had different living situations, and though I would ideally have lived with a host family, the status of the pandemic did not allow me to.

* Food:

Great food and for relatively cheap! I navigated the city as a vegetarian; still, I found wonderful tapas options, bread, and explored with some new cuisine.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program provided some resources, but I feel that the effort I made to integrate with local culture had a large effect on my overall experience. I'm glad to have been given the time and space to explore (i.e. attending local markets, playing pickup soccer) while also being guided via Spanish students helping with the program and some cultural activities planned by the group.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no issues, and rapid COVID-19 tests were easy to come by.

* Safety:

I felt very safe walking the streets (yes, even at night and sometimes alone), especially after familiarizing myself with the city. Certainly be on the lookout: a tourist in Madrid is not difficult to spot. But all in all I felt well prepared and protected.

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

I loved the city of Madrid, and my program helped to guide me very frequently, often without overstepping.

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)

I was often pleasantly surprised when going grocery shopping for ~$10-15/week! There are also many student discounts or free resources in the city which helped with museums/cultural visits, transportation, and more.

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

Learning Spanish was a major part of the program. All classes were in Spanish, and local staff encouraged language usage frequently.

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? 300-level course via home institution
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? Practice, practice, practice! People will speak to you in English, but as much as you can try to incorporate yourself in the local community and converse casually in Spanish.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* 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?
  • Resources: caring and involved program staff, professors, tour guides, local students
  • Time to explore the city and culture on my own
  • Class topics and the opportunity for field trips
* What could be improved?
  • Information regarding housing prior to arrival
  • More integration with local community
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew the extent to which getting involved and incorporated in the community makes a difference in the overall experience, and I wish I knew that I have the Spanish language skills to get involved effectively. Carry confidence with you!

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.