Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Madrid: The best semester of my life! Past Review

By (Economics., The University of Texas at Austin) for

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I made great friends, visited beautiful cities, ate delicious food, and experienced things I otherwise never would have been able to. I grew as a person into a new and improved man.

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.

The workload was light and manageable, a total difference from the workload in my university in America. It is definitely an easier semester school wise.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of the program directors and people that we needed to talk to were always available during the school day and at night via email. It was very easy to get in contact with them. They also gave us very good information and helped us get accustomed to living in a foreign country

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD IN SUCH LARGE QUANTITIES. EVERYTHING WAS ALWAYS FRESH AND DELICIOUS

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I made a group of friends that I am sure I will be life long friends with. Together we took many trips in Spain and to other countries, enjoying the culture of each city we visited.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe living in Madrid. I heard stories of people having safety issues, but overall, if you have common sense and are smart about your actions, your safety should never be in question

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?

With my teachers, my friends, and my host family

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The organization
  • The leisure time granted to students
* What could be improved?
  • The start time of class
  • More emphasis on school field trips and activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To anyone considering this program or any study abroad program, I would strongly suggest you follow your considerations and take a semester abroad. You will grow and learn so much. It will be one of the best experiences of your life, hands down.