Viva Espana Past Review
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Wesleyan University) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 05/20/2015 with
Vassar - Wesleyan Program in Madrid
Being abroad really opens your eyes to experiences outside of the Wesleyan vibe and the hectic nature of American culture. It was definitely worthwhile and I would go back in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes overall were not too easy or too difficult. It mostly depended on your comprehension of the language and how much effort you put into the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program directors were wonderful, friendly people but could be a bit unhelpful at times. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host parents were welcoming and great people to live with, although they were a bit far from the center of the city. |
| * Food: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Madrid is honestly one of the safest places I have ever been. I had no problems walking home alone at night and you generally only need to watch out for pickpockets. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The money given to us for lunch was more than sufficient. |
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 |
You definitely need to put in an effort or you could end up with only Americans and other English speakers and avoiding the language component of your time abroad. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Spanish 226 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | There is a huge lack of diversity in the city and Madrilenos seem to be happy to stay this way. Racism is present but rarely addressed and it could be difficult to deal with at times. |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Historia del arte |
| Course Department: | CEH class |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Definitely take this class. The professor is very understandable, you actually learn a lot about art and you get to visit art museums every week. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
