Alcalá de Henares was absolutely amazing! Past Review

By (Spanish/Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program leaders were incredible, very accessible and fun and they were very responsive to us and available to u. Program size was great...not too big but not too small. Very personable. My expectations were exceeded!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing arrangement made my experience. It was set up for me (matched according to a questionnaire) and it was in a great, safe neighborhood close to classes and to the center of alcalá and to my friends' host families. The only things I bought to settle in were toiletries. I was treated as a family member, welcomed with open arms. I loved my host family.

* Food:

Lactose intolerance was accommodated very easily. Go to tapón!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Trips to Toledo and extremadura were highlights and they were organized by the program. las fallas was incredible...penpals were great.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

pretty safe, as long as you were smart about where you walked alone and when. Healthcare easily accessible. Program told me where to go.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? they were great and gave us a lot of money to spend on trips, transportation, and food

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 35
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

With my host family. Yes. No, most people didn't speak english.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students