Winter in the concrete jungle Past Review
By A student (Sociology., Trinity University) - abroad from 03/02/2013 to 06/28/2013 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
I learned a lot about the privileges and freedoms I previously took for granted in the United States. I learned about the importance of leaving your comfort zone in order to learn more about your own values. I feel so privileged to have had this experience to go abroad and I would encourage every student to seize the opportunity.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The intensity of my classes was drastically less than Trinity classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One of the administrators was particularly friendly, helpful, and cheerful. However, the rest weren't particularly helpful and one of the administrators was so mean and rude! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my homestay. |
| * Food: |
Delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My host mother and I only conversed in Spanish, which helped me substantially to improve my language skills. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Be aware and conscious of your surroundings in order to stay safe. |
| 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? | Approximately $100 |
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? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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 known how unorganized the program was so that I could choose a different program. |
