Anything and everything. Past Review
By Catherin M (oyveycatie, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/14/2013 with
USAC Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies
Being in Madrid was intense. Firstly, no one speaks English. You had to learn Spanish for the moment you stepped off that plane. I learned how to cook, book my vacations, budget money, use the metro/bus system, and most importantly, I learned how to live in a big city and be safe.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
It's Spanish food. What would you expect? |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
It was easily accessible. All I had to do was contact my adviser and they got me a time. The doctor on the other hand was horrid. |
| * Safety: |
Pick pocketing every where! |
| 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) |
You wanna travel and eat. You gotta make decisions. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Too much. On average at least 50 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to free clubs, and travel Ryanair. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Always. So hard with Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 203 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make Spanish friends, and have a host family. Do that if your goal is to become fluent by when you leave. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | That Spanish is super hard, and that everything costs money. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
