Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best semester of my life! Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Connecticut College) - abroad from 09/10/0012 to 12/15/2012 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My experience in Madrid was extremely worthwhile. Increased knowledge of Madrid and the rest of Spain and left the country with a far more advanced proficiency in Spanish than when I started. Developed a greater sense of independence and maturity traveling throughout Spain and Europe and navigating various cities.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Loved my grammar class and the prado class!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Yolanda and Angel are amazing. Extremely kind, approachable and reliable

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I adored my host mother. We had a great relationship and we still talk all the time. She was caring, accommodating and down to earth

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very little cultural integration with local spanish students

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Madrid is very safe, but be aware of pick-pocketing!

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)

I would try to come to Madrid with $3-4,000 for a semester...between food, traveling and misc., this is a safe number

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

All classes in Spanish

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • IES field trips and activities. The orientation trip to León and Asturias was incredible! Also loved the cooking class and trips to local sites like the Palacio
  • My home stay experience. I absolutely adored my host mother.
  • The lifelong friends I made.
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More information on classes

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.