Life Changing Experience Past Review
By Jeremy Griel (Franklin & Marshall College) - abroad from 01/20/2019 to 05/08/2019 with
IES Abroad: Madrid - Language & Area Studies
Academically I grew my language skills tremendously and personally I grew independence and the ability to travel and live on my own in a new city.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were rather basic and not very intensive compared to classes at my home university |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was very nice and always looking for opportunities to allow students to excel at what they enjoy doing the most |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was integral to my study abroad experience allowing me to better assimilate to Spanish cultures and norms |
| * Food: |
Excellent food everywhere you go, especially in the home stays |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was given many opportunities to connect with local Spanish students on excursions or sight-seeing |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Everything was very well described and covered through the program |
| * Safety: |
City has slight issues with pickpocketing but if you look confident and in the proper state of mind they usually leave you alone, all about confidence. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was the best one for my needs academically and socially and the city was my favorite one I visited during my entire stay in Europe |
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) |
I lived a little lavishly while abroad but it was worth it for the experience |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The less you eat out and go partying the more money you'll save |
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 frowned upon to use english in classes or the IES center |
| 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? | Business Spanish - SPA 374 |
| 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 to locals, hold conversations with as many people as possible especially host family, get an internship (best way I improved my speaking abilities) |
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? | I wish I would have applied for more scholarships or saved more money beforehand to not have to worry about budgetting while abroad |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
