Spain: The best time you never want to have again. Past Review
By Ana P (Political Science/Spanish, Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
YES! I loved everything about it
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading was fair but very easy because not everyone in the program had the same level of spanish so the faculty could not grade too hard. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was an expectation that we would figure things out on our own which was annoying at times. It is a cultural difference |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my host mom and IES did an amazing job with placing students. Everyone was very happy in my program |
| * Food: |
It was yummy spanish food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not many, i had more fun traveling with friends around europe |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was always safe but it was hard going to a doctor. I got an x-ray on my ankle and never got the results back... |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Too much. probably about 10 euro a day If i didn't go shopping |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan for travel!!!!!! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Do not live with anyone and live in a home stay |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | If you want to learn spanish but are not at a high level or feel insecure about your skills DO THIS PROGRAM. It is perfectly tailored for you! |
