Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Madrid Immersion and Experience Past Review

By (Spanish/Political Science, Linguistics Minor, Grinnell College) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/14/2014 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned an incredible amount of Spanish and gained a ton of fluency in the language. I also learned how to navigate a huge city like Madrid, and how to travel both in and outside of the EU.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

As it turns out, I don't like seafood, so some Spanish food (like paella) I wasn't fond of. But, I loved others (like tortilla) so it wasn't as though I starved while abroad just because I can't handle some octopus.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't actually end up making any close Spanish friends because of how my university course turned out, but I stayed in a homestay and I know that my Spanish improved tenfold while I was there because of all the exposure and immersion I had.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health problems while abroad, but we had meetings every Monday with student services to inform us of any issues and to check in after the weekend. The services staff was readily available, and we were well informed on what to do/ how to contact people in the case of a health problem.

* Safety:

Madrid was super safe, I only ever really felt unsafe once, at 4 AM walking to catch a cab for the airport, and even then it was totally unwarranted. I would walk alone at night, and never got bothered or felt unsafe. They warned us continually about pickpocketers, but I was never robbed

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)

If you went out on the weekend, it was a little more expensive, but so long as you didn't go to a discoteca every weekend it wasn't expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Maybe $30 weekly.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a budget ahead of time. Know what you're willing to spend total on souvenirs, weekend trips etc. Don't do what I did and just wing it and then count it up when it's over.

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

Lots of options for activities with Spanish students, the staff was very reluctant to speak to us in English, and I lived with a Spanish-only homestay.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 295--20th Century Spanish Women's Writers and Literature
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Go meet Spanish students. Take a Complutense course.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Homestay/roommate/host family
  • Grammar class
  • Madrid the city
* What could be improved?
  • Facilitation of Complutense classes
  • Shorter "Spanish orientation" period
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It didn't get cold in Madrid, even in December. There was frost once, and it was never below maybe 50 during the day. I brought a winter coat and hat/gloves that I NEVER used because it just didn't get that cold. (At least from the perspective of Northern Indiana/Iowa)

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!