I would do it again! Past Review
By Paige Wisehaupt (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/05/2018 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
I strengthened my Spanish skills, and met many new people that will be lifelong friends! I gained a better global perspective by traveling throughout the semester. I would do it 100 times over again. I learned so much about other cultures, and in doing so, I learned so much about myself! STUDY ABROAD, PLEASE! You will LOVE it.
Review Photos
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. |
These classes were challenging but still allowed me to have plenty of time to explore the city, and the other countries around me |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Always very kind and helpful! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
LOVED my host family |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated, but I wish I met more Spanish students my age. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The staff made an appointment for me immediately and made sure that I knew where I was going |
| * Safety: |
Felt very safe the entire time! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There is no better place to study than the capital of Spain, the adventures are endless! Why would you study anywhere else in Spain when you could study in the heart of the country!? I have great things to say about my whole experience. IES Abroad is such an amazing program! The whole process from start to end was smooth and easy. |
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? | Around $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money! You will probably spend more than you think. |
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 |
Very encouraged, and enforced in class Outside of class...not as much |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 253- Hispanic 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? | Always talk in Spanish. Even with your American friends. Or create an hour where you just speak Spanish with them. |
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? | Save more money! |
