Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was much less work that I expected. Both of my classes were pretty easy but extremely boring, my history class consisted solely of reading from the text aloud the whole class as did my literature course but I still learned a lot from them without having an extreme workload. I think the professors were more understanding about the fact that everyone wanted to be able to have time outside of class to see Madrid and they all took that into account when assigning homework.

On-site administration of your program

They were very accessible at all times and and there were people who planned many excursions outside of class for everyone to do that was fun. The program size was good I felt like I basically recognized everyone by the last day in the trip. My expectations were met.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

10-15 minute metro ride from central madrid. The dorm room was nice, small bed but everyone had their own room with a bathroom and they were cleaned at least once a week. Big pool with a rooftop for laying out and the cafeteria was pretty big. <br /><br /> The classes were in the same building as we lived and we were 10-15 minute metro ride from central madrid where the major bars and clubs were. There were a few fun places around the dorm to go to at night and some good restaurants as well. The only thing I needed to buy when we first got there was a fan everything else was there.

There were only a few options for the meals and if you did not like them then you had to buy food elsewhere. There is a privately owned snack bar in the dorm that had good food and drinks for really cheap that was a good alternative for the meals. Breakfast only had cereal and there was usually some meat, salad and vegetables for dinner and supper.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We did a lot of excursions and city tours and went out at night a lot.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There was 24 hour security at the dorm and you had to leave your key at the front desk every time you left and when you came back you would have to show your ID and they would check you room number so no one that did not belong in the dorm could get in.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was barely ever forced to speak Spanish while in the dorm but outside of the dorm I had to use my language skills in cabs, at restaurants and places of that nature but many of the Spanish people knew we were American and would speak only in English to us so it was hard to practice.

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• Hotel
• Dorm

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• Americans

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• Americans