It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later Past Review

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology., Bowdoin College) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/13/2014 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be adaptable. I easily adapted and immersed into a new culture, a new language, and a completely new style of life which I soon called one of my own. I made tons of friends and shared many memories that I will remember forever and have left behind remnants of a place that is another home to me.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid Photo IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid Photo IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Learning in the classroom in Madrid allowed me to experience a whole new field of education. As a pre-med student, I have always been glued to textbooks, working on science and math problems, and trying to understand things in a conceptual sense. However, the classes I took while abroad introduced me to a new sphere of thinking. Taking classes about literature, architecture, and art history not only expanded my critical and creative thinking but also taught me about the history of Spain as a country. Watching movies, reading stories and looking at art work from historic Spain taught me a lot about the cultural movements of the country and as well allowed me to better appreciate architecture and art as I walked through the city daily.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I cannot praise and commend my past semester abroad in Madrid, Spain enough. Upon one week’s return to the US, my friends back home already got tired hearing about me boast on and on about the experiences I went through while away for the semester. It was an adventure of a lifetime and I would most definitely recommend Madrid to any student looking to study abroad. Madrid was an endless city—one with tons of historic events, art, culture, and most importantly, a place that felt like home away from home. From day one, I was surrounded by students like myself, by natives who welcomed all foreigners, and by staff members and professors who wanted nothing more than to help fully immerse us into this new world.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mom welcomed me into her home with arms wide open and always a smile on her face. She was amused and excited to learn about my culture and my background and to try and teach me about her way of life and her traditions. Some memories will always include days she came home screaming about something new she found in the city—a new store, new café, or a new viewpoint of the city that she couldn’t wait to share with me. I loved weekends where her extended family would come over and include me as if I were another cousin in the bunch. Family conversations would escalate for hours upon hours aside a deliciously home cooked traditional meal.

* Food:

Food was provided partially by my host mom and partially I explored the city and immersed myself in different restaurants, cafes, etc. Very delicious and easily accessible. Style of life was different so people would spend much more time at cafes and restaurants with friends and family.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My host mom welcomed me into her home with arms wide open and always a smile on her face. She was amused and excited to learn about my culture and my background and to try and teach me about her way of life and her traditions. Some memories will always include days she came home screaming about something new she found in the city—a new store, new café, or a new viewpoint of the city that she couldn’t wait to share with me. I loved weekends where her extended family would come over and include me as if I were another cousin in the bunch. Family conversations would escalate for hours upon hours aside a deliciously home cooked traditional meal.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have an experience with health care, but from students who did I heard it was very smooth and easy.

* Safety:

Of course, learning was not only limited to the classroom. I was constantly learning new words by going to the supermarket, to restaurants, and to cafes, meeting many natives and further other tourists and study abroad students visiting the city. I took advantage of travelling on the weekends and only left the country of Spain for one weekend! I still can’t wait to go back and visit a few other cities I did not have the chance yet to see. The history and culture of each Spanish city I visited varies drastically. From the Aqueduct in Segovia to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the art and architecture of each building design is so different and speaks a thousand words on its own. I always felt safe everywhere I went and was very independent in that we travelled without chaperones, just friends.

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
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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
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?
  • People
  • Professors
  • City
* What could be improved?
  • Scheduling
  • Travel Time
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how easy it would be to adapt to shake the nerves away!