My Experience Abroad Will Last a Lifetime Past Review
By Taylor W (Finance, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/20/2015 to 07/03/2015 with
Syracuse University: Madrid - Syracuse University in Madrid
I learned how to travel independently because I didn't have my parents there to tell me everything to do and where to go. And it helped me get out of my bubble.
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. |
I enjoyed the art class and literary studies class I took. It was cool being able to go to the museum every week to actually see what you are learning about. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration were very helpful with any question I had and knowledgable about Madrid. They gave us a lot of tips and information about living there that made it an easy transition. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host dad was awesome. He was an awesome cook and really went out of his way to make us feel at home. His apartment was very nice and my roommate and I had our own space that he respected. |
| * Food: |
My host dad never made a meal I didn't like. The reason for that is because he asked us in the beginning what we did and did not like. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated in the local culture. My host dad made sure I learned about their everyday life and customs. He would quiz me every night at dinner. That always made dinner interesting. And the program trips that were guided by the program emerged us into the culture also. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt threatened walking around Madrid whether it had been 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. However, I do recommend going out with a group of friends if you go out at night. And to plan on how you are going to get there and how to get home before you go out. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Basic living costs and sight seeing were very easy to live on a student budget in Madrid. However, it was expensive to go out at night. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget each week. Plan trips in advance so you know how much money you will have left. And do not take your credit card or large amounts of money out at night. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How to navigate the public transportation in Madrid. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
