Alcalá de Henares, Spain : A Window into What Can Be Your Experience Too Past Review

By Renée C (International Relations, Spanish, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid

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

I got to understand and view the world from a different perspective. I think as Americans we are in general very fortunate and while I was abroad, I got to look at the differences in values that are important to Americans versus Spaniards. I learned a lot about myself, I went with certain goals in mind which I ended up fulfilling. I also learned a lot about the lifestyle that I want for myself, and the people that I want around me. I learned that I am capable of going to another country and learning the language, finding an apartment and working and surviving in an envirnment extremely different from what I was used to. I would do it again, and I actually want to go back to Spain. I loved it so much that after the program was done, I stayed with another student in the program. We found an apartment together and we taught English over the summer.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I tried to explain above about the academics. In some of my classes, I learned very little, but in others I learned a lot. Some of the professors were not active in the classroom, and I really did not understand how they became to be professors. At the same time, I had a great experience in some of my classes when I did learn about topics that really interested me. The grading system there is easier because the Spanish students have to at least get a 5 (out of 10) in order to pass, and all they have to worry about is passing a class. However, in the U.S. we not only have to pass, but do well in our classes due to the amount of competition among similary motived students. That did not exist as much there. They are currently reforming the educactional system in Spain due to changes that the EU is doing in order to have a uniform system with the Union. It used to take 5 years to get a degree in Spain, depending on the major, but now it is 4 years. Therefore, there are some things that Spain is still working on. Also, I wanted to put all 5 globes because although I had a mixed educational experience in the classroom, I did learn a lot outside the classroom about the country, the people and the culture. Some of that, although not strictly academic, I learned in the classroom as well. It forced me to learn things not only about myself but about the world in general because I removed myself from everything that I was used to in order to challenge myself.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Everyone was great and made us feel at home. They were extremely helpful with whatever you could ask of them. We couldn´t have asked for better "administration".
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in the center with a host family. I had a mother who was 62 and a brother who was 32. It was great to learn the language and the culture, but towards the end I was ready to leave. I think that´s normal, however.
* Food:	the food was amazingly good.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	we had a dinner for thanksgiving, a halloween party, we went on several excursions (the one to andalucia was best), we had a dinner with the host families, a good party, we went to the theater and musuems, etc. Everything was great and well-organized.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I always felt safe, especially since I lived in the center. I never got seriously sick, but I do know that the program took good care of anyone who was sick and needed help.
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
Language acquisition improvement?	I practiced with my host family, Spanish friends, others from the Program, and the Program staff. Most people did not speak English, so it was a great way for me to practice, because I had no other choice. The program made us sign contracts to only speak in Spanish. They also offered an Advanced Language class that helped a lot. We also had tutors to help us with classes.
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	DO IT!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	History of Today´s World (El Mundo Actual)
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The professor did not teach one class. We watched movies and then listened to other students giving reports on countries they had chosen. Attendance was not mandatory. We had to do a timeline on a country of our choice as well as an analysis of a film related to our country. The professor honestly did not grade based on the quality or quantity of work that was done...instead, all foreign students received the same grade the day after the work was due. He would not have had time to read everyone´s projects for the next day.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Social Psychology
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course made me realize how interesting psychology is, and that it´s something I might want to go into.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Make sure you translate the syllabi before and send them to your advisor so you can make sure the courses with transfer and fulfill whatever credits you need.