Best experience of my life Past Review
By A student (Managerial Economics, Bentley University) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/19/2012 with
Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid: Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was so worthwhile! I got to learn every little thing about a new city, met tons of new people, and traveled so much. I learned not just about the Spanish culture but about all the cities I traveled to. It is incredible how you can learn so much more outside the classroom just from living in a new city.
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. |
Academics at ICADE are really good. I learnt a lot in my International Business (Negocios Internacionales) class in Spanish. It was really interactive and we had a lot of real life cases to discuss. I think rigor (in spanish classes: Teoria Economica) is really strict which I did not expect. As for resources, I would improve printing resources in school since compared to Bentley the convenience level is much lower. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was a little disorganized. The first week I had trouble finding what classes I could take and fitting them into a schedule (since I had very few options and some were at the same time). However, the people working for the program were very helpful despite their amount of work at the time. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had set up my living arrangements even before I was accepted to the program. I am lucky one of my best friends lives there in her family's apartment (by herself) and I had the opportunity to live with her for the semester. Its location was great and I would not have done it another way. |
* Food: |
I loved the food in Spain. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated with the local culture since I am a native Spanish speaker. However, my roommate has lived in Spain for a while which helped me integrate with her friends much more. The people that I went to Spain with did not have that opportunity, and they mostly spent their time with other exchange students. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health care problems while in Spain. |
* Safety: |
I did not have any safety-related incidents. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 was kind of hard because while you are abroad you want to get as much done as possible. I had to cut back a little on some expenses (eating out/shopping) so I could save up for traveling. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 250 |
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 |
Completely, outside the English classes, we had to speak in Spanish all the time to everyone, including the people working for the program. |
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | NAtive speaker |
How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Have conversations with people you don't know! (cashiers, waiters) That way you won't be shy and practice your skills. |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
* What did you like most about the program? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I was hesitant about going and I honestly don't regret anything, I just wish I knew how much I was going to love it. I also wish I would know my schedule BEFORE getting to Spain because the process to get it was a little bumpy. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |