Unparalleled Immersion Coupled with Top-Notch Program Staff Past Review
By A student (Haverford College) - abroad from 01/14/2018 to 06/01/2018 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Engineering, Math & Science
Now, I embrace the unknown and find possibility in uncertainty.
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. |
My coursework at both the partner university and IES center were both of the highest quality. While it's difficult to match the rigor of my home institution, Haverford College, both of the academic locations were of standard US rigor, with exceptional professors in each course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Madrid Center staff, particularly Angel, Yolanda, and Elvira, made my experience. Imagine going to a country where nobody speaks your language and where everyone you know is thousands of miles away! Angel immediately put us at ease and made us feel safe and at home. They take such good care of your health and safety; have no fear! At the same time, they coordinate extensive Spanish language learning and immersion opportunities, allowing anyone to come to Madrid and be at least a conversational speaker by the end. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Staying in a homestay was the best decision. When you're moving to a new country, having someone to cook homemade meals for you makes all the difference! IES makes sure to select families that understand that you are a college student with sometimes irregular sleeping hours and who wishes to experience the city, so "freedom" should not be a consideration in choosing homestay vs. apartment. |
| * Food: |
All of the food in Madrid is inexpensive and fresh! I miss Spanish grocery stores; they always have wonderful sales, and it's cheap to eat healthy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You'll have plenty of opportunities to meet local Spaniards and South American immigrants, if integration into Spanish-speaking society is your goal. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I've never had access to such high-quality healthcare. The private insurance company they work with is very friendly, and all of your healthcare needs (from a simple checkup to weekly visits and surgeries) are fully covered at the top public and private university-affiliated hospitals. This includes all of Europe! So, if you were like me traveling through Europe and needed to seek care in Munich at an ER, it's worry-free. |
| * Safety: |
I've never felt so safe in my life. Substantially safer than the United States; for reference, google the crime statistics of the *entire country of Spain* and compare to NY, LA, SF, PHL, etc metros |
| 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) |
Madrid was very affordable. However, it is important to create a budget and stick to it. You'll likely be relying on a credit card, as it's the best option for accessing stipends from US institutions. Repeat this mantra: "Use your credit card as if it was a debit card." I had to teach so many of my friends this; for them, it was a lesson in personal finance. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Visit an MVNO (google this) carrier; not a big name like Vodafone or Orange. An MVNO, like Llamaya/Lycamovil/Red Orange, sells Vodafone/Orange coverage for way less |
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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 100-level |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Use apps like Duolingo that get you to speak the language. IES also purchases lifetime subscriptions to Rosetta Stone for its participants. |
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? | I wish I had signed up for all IES classes. They were just more personalized. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
