Vamos Chicas Past Review
By A student (Kean University) - abroad from 07/01/2016 to 07/29/2016 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Summer in Madrid
I was able to practice my Spanish speaking skills. I also gained more independence and knowledge as to how other cultures live. It was a worthwhile experience that everyone should do.
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. |
Professors were really great and cared about your learning. |
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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? |
I feel as if my host family set-up was similar to the way my friends were living in their student apartments. |
| * Food: |
I was disappointed in the food that my host family made. It was hard to make myself stay at home for dinner since there are so many other great places to go to eat. On multiple occasions we had frozen pizza.. |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Yes I would choose the provider, CIS. They are awesome and very helpful. I would not choose to go to Madrid again. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $120-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not buy drinks every time you go out. There are cheap, good places to eat, you just have to find them. Don't bring all your money out with you, leave some at home. |
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? | 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? | High level college courses |
| 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? | Just use the language no matter how bad or good you think you are. People respect you more if you try and will sometimes help you. |
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? | 0 |
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 they don't blast the air conditioning like they do in the U.S.! :) |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
