Past Review

By khmoran (Computer Science & Spanish, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid

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

It is cliche, but I did become more independent. I was incredibly worried about going abroad, but the only way to get over being worried is to just suck it up and go. And it turns out that there was nothing to worry about.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place:	Spring 2008

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I took one course with the program (Civilization & Teatro) and three with the University de Alcala (Historia del cine/El cine espanol, Teatro del siglo XX, and Dialectologia). Of the four, two required consistent writing (Civilizacion y Teatro and Teatro del siglo XX), though it was never overwhelming and we had tutors to edit our work. The grades for the other two courses were determined solely based on final exams and papers, which saved time during the semester but put on the pressure at the end.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The staff for Tufts in Madrid both in Madrid and Alcala was phenomenal. I can't say enough how far out of their way they went to welcome us and help us along the way. They were by far the best resource that we students had when we needed help with our courses, families, language, and help. Miguel, Sergio, Angelines, Angel, Joan, and Maite were the best staff that we could have hoped for.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived with a phenomenal family at 36 Paseo de Pastrana, Alcala. I became very close with my host mother; she was very welcoming and always reminded me that I was part of the family. She had two daughters, 18 and 15, who were friendly but also very absorbed in their own lives. <br /><br /> The apartment was the farthest from the town center (20 minutes walking), but it was a pleasant walk to the program center (15 minutes) and there are frequent buses. I wouldn't have traded my family to live closer.
* Food:	It's great to have lunch with the host families because it's a time that you are encouraged to speak the language. Having dinner out is a pleasure, too, because you can try food that you're more comfortable with or that your family may not make.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	We traveled very frequently and this was a great way to bond with people in the program and to experience everything that Spain has to offer. It's an amazingly diverse country and every region has its own cultures, so it's certainly worth it to travel. Make time to explore the city you live in, though, too.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I felt safe, but the public health system may not be the best for students experiencing more specialized illnesses. Myself and another girl were unable to find the proper treatment for our sicknesses but they were not debilitating and we took care of them when we returned home. The program can direct you to specialists, but it will cost more money.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	20 euro, more for traveling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	The food stipend is more than enough to cover your meals, but it won't cover going out on the weekend and buying drinks, unless you really make it stretch. Traveling will be expensive, but there are always buses and hostels that lower the cost.