API (Academic Programs International): Madrid - University Complutense Photo

Madrid: A Cultural and Educational Learning Experience

Program Information

Spain’s capital since 1561, Madrid is the contemporary capital of Spanish culture, finance, and industry. A large, international and cosmopolitan city, Madrid is a city of possibilities. It boasts incredible monuments and museums, including the Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, the Th... More

Provider: Academic Programs International (API)
Location(s): Madrid, Spain
Year Founded: 1997
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Danielle C. (International Studies: Political Science and Latin American Studies, University of California - San Diego) on December 01, 2010

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2009-09-17
* End Date: 2009-12-18
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.

Lectures were mainly the Professor lecturing with little class discussion. There are suggested readings, but no required readings or weekly assignments. The final exams, which are all written, are the only grade you receive.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did University of California - San Diego prepare and support you for your time abroad?

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Local Students

A Look Back

* If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? Yes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be outgoing and not afraid to practice speaking. Keep and open mind and enjoy the time you have, because time goes by quickly. Pack light so you have more room in your luggage for the things you buy :)
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? The experience abroad allowed me to improve my Spanish, but to also make new friends, learn new things about people and myself. After the trip I wanted to study abroad again and the following summer went to Chile and Mexico to study.

Individual Course Reviews

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Pensamineto Español

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Instruction Language: Spanish
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Historia de España

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Instruction Language: Spanish
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Literatura Española

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Instruction Language: Spanish
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Historia del Arte Español

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Instruction Language: Spanish
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Lengua Española

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Instruction Language: Spanish
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