Super fun and good way to explore the city and neighboring countries! Past Review
By A student (IGS / Latino Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/21/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
CIEE: Madrid - Liberal Arts
It was fun, and I improved my spanish writing skills and grammar
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I didn't think it was challenging, perhaps because of the rigor at Brandeis that I was already used to, but it was very doable. Our classes rarely had homework, mainly papers/projects for our final exams. |
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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? |
Housing in the apartments was nice. I love the location because we were only 10-15 min on metro from downtown. I liked this because I got to experience where most people lived! |
| * Food: |
The food pretty good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel as integrated, but this could've been improved if I lived with a host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe in the city all the time; super late at night too! |
| 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) |
This really depends on the student. Some students like to travel on the weekends to other European countries so this would mean that they would need extra money of course, but groceries weren't that expensive either |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 70 |
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 |
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| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 most of our classes would be with international students (mainly Americans) and this kind of didn't allow us to be that engaged with the Spanish students on campus |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
