Madrid: Discovering more than just tapas Past Review
By Donna G (Spanish Language and Literature., SUNY - Binghamton) for
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was an overall great experience. Although it wasn't my first time abroad or in Spain, I still learned that I was able to still make new friends, which helped me learn a lot about myself. I have always pictured my life in Spain and this summer really helped to confirm that that is where I would like to end up one day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everything was fair and basically the way it's done at my university. Nothing was really different, except for the learning environment. The class sizes were perfect and the work load appropriate. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Binghamton MORE than prepared for students for what they were about to encounter in a foreign. They were more than available to answer questions and replied very quickly to any inquiry I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was provided and within close vicinity to the metro and other stores/supermarket. |
| * Food: |
I was please with all the food and the amount of food that were provided. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The World Cup games were by far the most memorable times of my life. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe. I did have a health issue and it was dealt with in a very prompt matter. It was easier than the healthcare I was used to at home. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-75 euro a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to not have a "vacation" type mentality and pretend that you are at home and try to save money like you would if you were at home. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
It was great to practice Spanish with everyone who worked there, and especially with the professors. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any student who has never been abroad before and has some hesitations. |
