More than just an excuse to go to Madrid Past Review
By Ana Londono (Emerson College) - abroad from 07/18/2016 to 09/22/2016 with
ROOSTERGNN Global News Network | Journalism Internship Seminars in Spain
I learned to be independent. Although I made many friends, I went on a couple of tours alone!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed the course. There was a lot going on for only two weeks. We got to write and edit two stories (with other two optional stories.) Moreover, the mentors were very inspiring industry professionals. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program administrator was very helpful, he was always willing to lend a hand. I specifically needed a couple of papers for the visa and he sent them to me immediately. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The program does not provide housing. |
| * Food: |
The program does not provide food. However, Spanish food is incredible and has a lot of variety. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program helped us connect with the local culture at the Tapas Reception. We were able to mingle with the other students while enjoying incredible local food and drinks. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program was very short so everyone had to provide their own travel insurance. One day a student got sick and the program was really helpful. |
| * Safety: |
Madrid is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
There is always something you can learn at this seminar. The mentors have worked in the industry for more than 10 years, meaning that they now what they are doing! Their comments on your articles will always help you grow as a journalist. |
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) |
It's actually pretty easy, depending on what you like/want. There are restaurants at the main street (Gran Via) were you can buy a taco for 1 euro. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at 100 Montaditos, its a Spanish restaurant in which most of the sandwiches cost 1 euro (on certain days the whole menu is 1 euro.) |
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 |
All of the seminars where in English, however you were allowed to write your articles in Spanish. Moreover, the fact that the seminar only lasted 2 hours meant you had the rest of the day to speak Spanish. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Spanish is my first language |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to people! Ask questions! Visit museums! |
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 known how important the first day's editorial meeting was. |
