Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful immersive program and experience. Past Review

By (Civil Engineering, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 05/18/2015 with

USAC Spain: Madrid - Spanish Language, Art, and Spanish & European Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how important it is to just jump into situations and try your best to learn everything you can.

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

Gabriela and Susan are phenomenal to have as a support system.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing request was not honored and my arrangements were inconveniently located.

* Food:

I was able to purchase my own food because I lived in an apartment, so I'm neutral on this subject.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I managed to find places and people that helped me to feel integrated, but I didn't feel that USAC did much to facilitate this process. Other than that, I was mostly happy with my cultural integration.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was incredibly easy to visit medical providers as necessary, even in other countries.

* Safety:

Other than pick-pockets, the city felt extremely safe. Any incidents occurred due to drunkenness or over-emphasizing Americanness.

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)

I only managed to have enough money because I took on some tutoring jobs. I did not receive enough financial aid nor was I suggested any scholarships to apply to.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find a job that can earn you at least $20 a week. It ultimately makes a huge difference. Also, it's worth packing more and buying less (winter coats, summer clothes, etc). Downloading a budgeting app for my phone helped me a lot.

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

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200-level
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? Jump right in and don't be shy.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The class structure - all in Spanish and consecutive learning
  • My professor
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with local students
  • More relaxed attendance policy
  • More rigorous courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's important to be openminded about new experiences and when meeting new people - you can really be surprised.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.