Past Review
By Alexander C (International Relations & Economics, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid
Yes, it was. I gained so much that is intangible that it's almost worthless to try and describe it here. It's a very personal experience. The one thing I would say is that it made me a more confident, expressive person and a lot less worried about the opinions of others. I think I'm just happier with life now.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Autonomous University is one of the better in Spain. Unfortunately, universities in Spain aren't like ones in the States. Still, it is an interesting experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great staff that is always there to back you up. No complaints whatsoever. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with a small family in the center of Madrid (barrio de salamanca) <br /><br /> Location was perfect and the accommodations were great. Had an overall good relationship with my family but I got tired of them, especially by the middle of second semester. Program should be more encouraging of non-host family living. |
| * Food: |
My host mother cooked well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Social and non-academic aspects were great. Lots of fun, met cool, interesting people, saw lots of things. Program had some great excursions too. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Madrid is a very safe city, very little crime. Almost felt safer there than at Tufts! |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | We got a check for 70 euros a week. I spent less than that. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The only problem was the return flight home. Tufts needs to change the agency it works with because we sign up, at the beginning for a return flight home on May 30th but virtually no one can leave that early because we all have finals that end later than that. it costs way too much money to change the flight home and the agency (Cambridge Travel) is awful. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I really got better at Spanish. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be prepared to do things differently and act outside of your comfort zone. That's the way to enjoy yourself. |
