Past Review

By Je Na L (PSYCHOLOGY., SUNY - Binghamton) for

SUNY Albany: Madrid - Study Abroad at the International Institute, Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It was a great experience. I loved Madrid and I think my Spanish had been improved. But I didn't like the program and the institute. I think there must be some changes with the program. For example, some teachers were always late for the classes and spent 20 minutes of the classes for preparing those classes. There wasn't computer lap for SUNY students. We could use the computers for Syracuse students, but after their program was over, we had no where we could use computers. My laptop was broken in Spain and I had a big problem with that.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I used to live in the center of Madrid with host family. My family was great. I had three host brothers in my age, so I could practice speaking spanish with them. <br /><br />
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Euro was very expensive when I was in Spain.