Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Madrid at Night...Wow! Past Review

By (Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland - College Park) for

Complutense University of Madrid: Madrid - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
definitely worthwhile

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.

Intensive Spanish for Foreigners is what I took. It consisted of four classes: grammar, reading, oral, and vocab. Workload was reasonable. Teaching methods were different but definitely more personal. They ate lunch with us and had a drink with us every now and then. They were are friends. The variety of classmates you work with (Brazil, Czech Republic, South Korea, England, Germany, Ukraine, Italy, Netherlands, etc.) You make great friendships that last even until this day. Definitely would do this again if given the opportunity.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone is there to help you and everyone knows where your coming from. Program size is large with several sections. Good class size (15-18 students). Expectations met!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Mother had some friends living in Spain and I stayed with them.

* Food:

Fantastic!!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Field trips to Toledo, Granada, all over Madrid. Night activities with classmates

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

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?

You would practice Spanish with your classmates. Because they all speak their home language you must communicate in your second or third language to have any communication at all. It's incredibly interesting and you learn plenty from everyone's culture as well. The experience you have with them everyday, night are unforgettable. You cannot experience this in your home country.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Keep wallet close to you.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intensive Spanish for Foreigners
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: 4 credit hours transferred for one month of schooling.