Great abroad experience! Past Review

By (Child Development/Community Health, Tufts University) - abroad from 01/12/2012 to 05/29/2012 with

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A sense of accomplishment, independence, and many, many life skills. It was incredibly worthwhile.

Review Photos

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid Photo Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid Photo Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid Photo

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Autonoma
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not academically rigorous, but study abroad is about learning outside of the classroom so that is ok!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful - especially coordinating transfers or credit at the end.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

great location, wonderful host mom.

* Food:

too much fried food and olive oil.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program could have done a better job integrating us with the spanish students.

* 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)

Depends on how much traveling you do, during the week the Tufts program gives you 11 euros/day for food which is very affordable, but traveling on the weekends was difficult!

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Picnic/buy food at grocery stores!

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

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? Spn. 34
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? Make Spanish friends!

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The activity and food budget given to us - really helped us not worry about expenses and enjoy the culture.
* What could be improved?
  • University (Autonoma is far away)
  • Program trips (we missed many of the most important cultural spots in spain!)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't travel every weekend - save time to enjoy your host city! Talk as much as you can with your host family, they are the experts.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Imagining the Americas

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Great movies and interesting topic. Course work is not that difficult, participation is key to a good grade.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Adv. Spanish grammar

Course Department:
Instructor: Miguel
Instruction Language:
Comments: Great course - my favorite. Miguel is a wonderful professor and brings energy to the class. Discussion of current topics is very interesting.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sketchbook

Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: Challenging if you are not artistic, but professor is patient and you go on a lot of cool field trips around Madrid
Credit Transfer Issues: