The words "far, far away" always had a strange charm - Lord Alfred Tennyson. Past Review
By Ruben Torres (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 08/28/2017 to 12/22/2017 with
ISA Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain
I learned more about the way the world views the United States, as citizens and as a country. While also filling my eyes with the beauty and history of the new continent. I made new friends who were able to expand knowledge that I did or didn't have before.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were mostly interesting but not as academically challenging as I had expected. For some the class had potential but the instructors just did not know how to make the class interesting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The office was very helpful and informative. They acted almost as a family base that made the transitions much easier. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My first housing assignment was not at all the best. The lady treated me like a form of income instead of a student; however, after much head-butting with the person in charge of the administration I finally got moved to a host family that turned into my family away from my family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated but thats because I chose to make friends with the European students and the local Spanish students. Being able to fully speak the language was a big help. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Apart from the housing, the program made everything very easy as far as paper work and when it come to in person they provided you with quality information. |
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) |
Because I was with a host family I could live off 20 euro a week if I wanted to. But those who didn't live with host families or liked to go out a lot would not be able to do so. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are working, put away x amount of every pay check into your savings. I live with my parents when I work back home so I was able to put away 80% of my paycheck every time and that allowed me to have more than enough money for being abroad. Also track the Dollar to Euro conversion rate, if its lower than normal one week buy euros then to make it cheaper when exchanging money. |
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 |
| 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? | If you have family and friends who are fluent spend an hour or two just talking with them about your day. What they teach you in class vs real world conversation is different. |
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? | How to plan for other trips within the EU and other popular destinations in Europe. |
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.' |
