Glory Days Past Review

By (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/16/2017 to 05/06/2017 with

IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can't put into words what this program meant to me. It truly was the best 4 months of my life and I was able to make so many amazing friends and travel to so many incredible places. It's a once in a life time experience and I wouldn't change a single second of my time abroad.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This was the best experience of my life and a lot of that was due to the program and the opportunities they provided and the friends I made.

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)

It was really easy to run out of money. Save as much as possible before going and try to set up some sort of budget (but still don't limit yourself).

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~$50 (not including travel)

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 are in Spanish and homestay families only speak in Spanish to you.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The city
  • The homestay
* What could be improved?
  • Wouldn't change anything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had saved more money for the entire semester. I also wish I had taken advantage of opportunities to hang out with local students more.

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.