Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of clarity about myself as a person, and improved greatly on my Spanish. I made a lot of great Tufts friends, and traveled all over Europe (and even a little bit of Africa!).

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Spring 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My Spanish improved a lot, but I didn't learn much from my class at the University or the Spanish language class at Recoletos.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

This program has been around for a while, and they really know what they're doing. The whole thing works like clockwork.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a woman (about my mom's age) and her two children, a boy (17) and a girl (14). We lived in an apartment in the city, which was very comfortable. I had a great time with them. I lived in the neighborhood Arapiles. <br /><br /> Paloma (my host mother) was very helpful, but not overbearing. The apartment was very nice, and fairly well-situated, though not in the very center of the city. The housing was arranged by Tufts, and the neighborhood was very safe (I never felt unsafe), and, like the rest of the city, very pretty. There was a lovely little plaza right by the apartment. It was about 1/2 an hour away from the program center, and about 50 minutes away from the University. It was also about 20 minutes away from good nightlife spots.

* Food:

The food was good, but not very healthy. We ate homemade French fries almost every night.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had an absolutely wonderful time abroad. I made great friends and had great experiences traveling and being independent.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never had any health issues, so I can't say much about how well health issues were addressed. However, I felt safe walking alone at night (though I probably shouldn't have) and never ran into any trouble at all.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent maybe 20-30 euros a week on food (lunch that I bought for myself, as dinner and breakfast were served at home), which was covered by our food budget of about 70 euros a week. I spent maybe about 20-30 euros a week on drinks and going out with friends. I spent anywhere from 100 to 200 euros on plane or bus tickets for travel every few weeks, and hostels ranged from 8 to 30 euros a night (low-budget hostels).
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I saved a lot of money buying my lunches from the grocery store and bringing the lunches to the University. I spent a lot of money on travel, which I hadn't anticipated but do not regret.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
Language acquisition improvement?

With so many English-speaking students around, it was hard to speak Spanish all the time. My Spanish definitely improved, but not as much as I had wanted it to.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do it. You will love it, and you will never regret it.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spanish Language Class

Course Department:
Instructor: Joan Berenguer
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was mostly review, and I didn't like the structure of the class. But Joan B has retired, so it will be taught by someone else now.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Arte

Course Department:
Instructor: Arturo Colorado
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Great course! Learned a lot, and Arturo was a pleasure.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Historia del cine y otros medios audiovisuales

Course Department: Historia/Arte
Instructor: Colorado--UAM
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Interesting, but my grade did not depend on class attendance or the lectures, so it was hard to motivate myself to attend class.
Credit Transfer Issues: