Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Me extraño Madrid Past Review

By (Physical therapy, Springfield College) for

Suffolk University: Madrid - Suffolk University Madrid Campus

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This opened my eyes so much. Being thrown into another culture was an amazing learning experience. I feel as though I grew so much in such a short period of time. I had no time to be homesick, it went by in a flash. I have future plans to continue travel, and hopefully spend some time working abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload was light and the schedule was ideal for travel. The classes I took were much different than my home university and I have never had professors so passionate about their subjects.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The registrar staff member on campus was unprofessional, rude, incompetent, irresponsible, and blameful of others for their mistakes and forgetfulness. My experience with this person caused me so much stress.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food arrangements were phenomenal! We received cheques to spend at designated restaurants and a debit card for groceries. I never had to worry about not having food to eat.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Every trip I went on was great. The school organized trip to Lisbon, Portugal was great. The orientation trip to Sevilla was exhausting but amazing. The school offered more than enough opportunities to be involved in activities in and out of Madrid.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The healthcare system worked very well for me. I was sick and got a doctor's appointment the day I requested it. The prescriptions were also very cheap.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice the language with peers, roommates, and everyone in the community.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The opportunities to travel all over Europe.
* What could be improved?
  • Campus administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Study abroad is whatever you make of it. All types of students had life changing experiences and I think tht you cannot go wrong or regret your decision to study abroad. Madrid was an exciting city with sights to see during the day, a buzzing night life, and easy transportation out of the city. Best of all worlds!