Best way to spend your summer before you start getting Paid Internships Past Review
By CHASE P THERRIEN (University of Texas - Dallas) - abroad from 06/03/2017 to 07/29/2017 with
The Intern Group: Madrid Internship Placement Program
Little bit of culture shock, a few life lessons that I will take into the future and carry on through college as well as my career. The best decision I've made in quite some time.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a fantastic time. I am so glad I was able to go to a country I had always wanted to visit, learn the culture, meet new people, have life long friends and have an amazing story to tell to my friends and family when I get back home. There is no other way I could have spent my summer then this awesome experience. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all very welcoming and wonderful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was in a great area, just some minor changed of the actual apartment is why it is not a 5 stars. Everything else was great. |
| * Food: |
The food here was lovely and delicious but I am ready to get back home and stuff my face with Texas sized plates. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was great. A big social shock when I first arrived here but give it about 2 weeks and you will come to lie the life here much more then you did back at home. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No comment really. |
| * Safety: |
You feel safe all the time just as you are aware of your surroundings. If you seem scared then pickpocketers will sense that and will try to take your things when you aren't looking. Also, do not get black out drunk in a foreign country that you have never been before with no friends. If you do, stay inside your apartment. This is a perfect way for you to get lost and have all your things stolen. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would like to travel to a different city next time. |
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) |
It wasn't too bad. If I wanted to stay fit (because I am a college athlete) I would have to ask my parents for more money so that I could still eat meat but once you realize that you can't go out and drink or eat every night then you start to save money for trips. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | roughly $75-100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a chart. Estimate what you want to be spending each week for the whole time you are here for the program and stick with that plan. If you stick with a plan then you can save an extra $50-150 each week so that you can travel on the weekends. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Frequently had to speak spanish. My coworkers knew english and were wanting to learn it just as bad as I was wanting to learn spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 3 AP |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to speak around the office then when you get home study for about 30minutes to an hour. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring more food from home in your suitcase. It's the small things that you don't think about that you will find you miss home very much. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
