THE BEST 6 MONTHS OF MY LIFE!!! Past Review

By (Business Administraton, Hastings College) for

ISA Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
You will not believe how good it is until you try it.

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.

The teachers where fantastic and the school was great. I absolutely loved it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They exceed all of my expectations and then some. They were at my service whenever I needed it.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a single mom and her 13 year old son. They excepted me as family from the very beginning. I was allowed to do anything I wanted whenever I wanted. I was very respectful and I treated them like family because they were and they helped me learn so much more then just the language. they taught me about a whole different world and they will always be in my heart for showing me how great the culture and the Spanish people are. They taught me more then the schools. I love them.

* 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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I lived with a host family that had very little English skills. I would say I used 95% Spanish and 5% English. Before I went over I had intermediate skills but by the time I left I could hold a conversation with anybody on just about anything.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Everyone should do it, it will change your life for the better.