Viva Madrid! Past Review
By KT Thomas (Franklin & Marshall College) - abroad from 09/08/2016 to 12/10/2016 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
I gained confidence in speaking Spanish and many local friends from this experience. I would absolutely do it again the same way if possible because this experience was so worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I can safely start out by saying that my semester abroad in Madrid, Spain was increíble! There’s nothing NOT to love about the culture, people, food, and nightlife, but what really stood out was my program, IES. I immediately felt comfortable in this new city due to the immersion aspect IES stresses during the first week including tours by local university students, and informative handbook full of Do’s and Don’ts, and welcoming staff. I was placed in the most accommodating homestay where I felt right at home in this bustling city and my Spanish fluency only got better as time went on due to the interesting course offerings all in the native language. I dare you not to love this program! |
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 $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You'll want to shop a lot because EVERYONE in Madrid is super stylish, but remember how hard it is to pack on the way back and have strength in Zara. |
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? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 |
| 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? | Talk with your peers (even if they aren't fluent) and don't be afraid to talk to people once you get there! It will only help you. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Never be afraid to speak up even if you aren't fluent in Spanish at the start. You will only benefit from speaking the language |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
