Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Taking Every Opportunity Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/08/2013 to 05/11/2013 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about taking every opportunity and getting out and experiencing things.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very academically rigorous and time consuming class schedules

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment with other students and a spanish student. The apartment was great. There were however problems with the spanish student that the IES directors did not help to correct when we brought it to there attention. The spanish student was very strict and controlling and when we discussed it with the directors they defended her and informed her of our concerns, making the situation more tense.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I sprained my foot and the program was very helpful in suggesting healthcare options. The actual doctors office was also very helpful.

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Not sure

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Upper division spanish courses and Advanced Composition and Coversation
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Size. It was a smaller program
* What could be improved?
  • Directors could be more open to hearing problems and trying to come up with a solution
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had a more accurate expectation of the programs academics. It was much more time consuming than I expected.

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 Urbanite
A 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.