Spanish-style: Studying in Madrid Past Review
By Anna D (PSYCHOLOGY., Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid
I am currently teaching English in southern Spain for a year through a government program. I would never have considered this program without my study abroad program. They also assisted me in finding and applying for this program, three years after I first left Spain!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grammar class provided by the program was very challenging, but aside from the language barrier, the Autonoma classes were not challenging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very supportive and run incredibly well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host mother and her family. The neighborhood was safe, and relatively close to class. She provided me with sheets and towels and cooked breakfast and dinner every night. I still feel like a part of the family - she is a second grandmother to me - and just visited her last week. She treated me like a daughter or granddaughter. |
| * Food: |
I always ate well with my host mother, and we were give enough to spend for lunches. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We took several trips to other parts of Spain with the program, and we also attended cultural events as part of a class. We were given a book each month with a list of movies, plays, and other cultural events, and we had to attend a certain number and write a review in Spanish. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | We were given money for food each week, and it was more than enough. I really only spent money when traveling on the weekends. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save the money you receive for lunches by eating less expensive meals, and then use it to go out or travel on the weekends. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 21 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host mother, had an intercambio, and spoke Spanish with other students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I recommend Tufts in Madrid to students who value the security and safety of a trusted program, are looking for a memorable cultural experience, and who want to experience the madrilena lifestyle. |
