Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

BU Madrid Summer Study Abroad Past Review

By (History, Harvard University) for

Universidad Autonoma de Madrid: Madrid - Study Abroad at UAM, Direct Enrollment

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I loved it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload wasn't much at all, grading system was fair, excellent professors.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Have more students talk

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I hated the woman I lived with. I lived with an elderly woman who was overbearing. She let me do as I pleased, but treated me like a child. I had no problems with going out at night, and her apartment was very centrally located. No I didn't need to buy any items to settle in, maybe just shampoo and conditioner. I was treated as a child and a client. She wasn't personable.

* Food:

She fed me the same thing for lunch and dinner for sometimes 3 days in a row.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program took us to Sevilla and Segovia, both trips were great.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Madrid.

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? At least 100 Euros a week, depending on what we did.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? In Europe, always expect to spend way more than you think, because the exchange rate is awful

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? Fourth-semester spanish
Language acquisition improvement?

Professors, host family. I spoke mostly English when with friends because we were all American.

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

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

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

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people I met
* What could be improved?
  • The housing situation and the food that comes with it

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Culture of Spain
Course Department:
Instructor: Tómas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Very interesting material, but Tómas at times is very boring, there wasns't much room for engagement/speaking, as it was taught in a lecture style.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Art in the Museums of Madrid
Course Department:
Instructor: Cindy Mack
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: One of the best courses I've ever taken- you study in the art museums of Madrid every morning, and get to really engage with the material.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.