One semester is not enough! Past Review
By Anne (University of Rochester) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/31/2016 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
I learned that the world is such a big place, and it is important to leave your comfort zone and go see as much as you can. This experience also helped me realize the importance of respecting and not judging things about another culture that I may not understand.
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. |
Art and Architecture as well as Spanish 333 were both wonderful courses. The professors were so knowledgeable and excited about teaching that it made the classes very enjoyable! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very supportive and kind program staff. Only complaint is that I felt as if there were too many students for only one academic advisor. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Incredible host family, so welcoming! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Made a lot of effort to get to know people from the area myself. I believe that the structure of the program encourages abroad students to spend time with one another rather than branch out into the community. |
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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
The program gave me so many opportunities to learn about the culture and travel within Spain. Very supportive staff. |
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? | 80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are living in a homestay, try to make it home for dinner every night because the food is great and you can save money that way. |
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? | 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? | SP 152 |
| 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? | Make friends with people from Madrid. Speak the language with people from your program also, even though it will be more comfortable to speak English. |
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? | Wish that I knew how wonderful this experience would be. I spent a lot of time before leaving being nervous and almost remorseful that I had decided to study abroad. During my time abroad and while reflecting on it, I realize that there is nothing that should hold you back from studying abroad. Everyone has connections that are hard to leave behind (family, a sport, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends) but this is a life changing experience that will be worth 5-6 months of distance. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
