Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad Madrid, Universidad de Alfonso X el Sabio Past Review

By (Political Science, Economics, Western Washington University) - abroad from 09/06/2013 to 01/21/2014 with

ISEP Exchange: Villanueva de la Cañada - Exchange Program at Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Through ISEP you are given so much freedom that you are also thrown into a world of responsibility. Listening skills become incredibly important, as does common sense. Your eyes open to the mass of cultures and patience grows.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The school itself is very simple. They are flexible with deadlines, the material is very easy to comprehend, homework is little, the only challenge is the full emersion of spanish.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Though disorganized, the administration paid close attention to you if needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Though hyped up to be extremely close to Madrid, the university was about an hour away by bus from the city. Night life in the Villanueva where the university is situated is very poor and if I had known better, I would have gotten a flat in central Madrid.

* Food:

Very hard to find vegetables other than potatoes and there are very little options for vegetarians, but the beer is cheap and tapas are free!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

By taking yoga classes and finding a community of magicians in Madrid, I found no dificulties making friends with the locals, but the students themselves tend to be more closed off until a strong connection in interests is met.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Lots of theifs in any crowded area.

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100€
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your money for traveling!!

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

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 302 Grammar
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 in the foreign language with subtitles in the same language. Find a club where talking isnt necessary but inevitable and listen until you gain your barrings.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • Living in Europe
  • Freedom to travel outside of organized groups
  • The theatre community in Madrid
* What could be improved?
  • Level of difficulty of courses
  • Better planned trips with the other exchange students
  • Easier way to find housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The location of Universidad de Alfonso X el Sabio en comparison to Madrid. How easily a theif can steal an iPhone or wallet from a side bag. How cheap RyanAir is for a weekend trip if you book in advance.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.