Type of housing: off campus dormitory

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Several groups of people rented apartments through the guidence of the university. The University helped them locate the apartment and with any problems that occured during their stay. The dormitory I lived in was a bit to regulated and had quite a few rules. With the help of the campus and the greater freedom, I would prefer to rent an apartment if I was to do it all over again.

Personal comments:
The location was excellent, and they provided many services. For example they did your laundry once a week, had a full meal plan, and assisted in cleaning our rooms. However the only downside is that they were way to strict, and had too many rules and regulations. That is the case especially if you are coming from the U.S. and you are accustomed to having a lot more freedom in the dormitories.

Type of housing: Dormitory

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Dormitory

Why? I loved the dormitory because I got to live with some pretty good people. I loved that I got my room cleaned once a week and my laundry done. Also, I love the location cause its in the middle of the city where there is a shopping center, cinemas, clubs and bars. What more could you ask for.

Personal comments:
The accomidation was pretty good. The only thing that could change are the ridiculous rules they make you sign before you move into your place. Less rules would lesson the complaints.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? Cause it would have helped a lot in learning and practicing how to speak Spanish.

Personal comments:
I live in the Flora Residence. It is located in the perfect area, about 4 blocks from Sol and Grand Via. The facilities here are reasonable, we have a living room with a cable tv and 24 hour access to the internet, which is rare for places in Spain. The rooms are small but good enough.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I have participated in 2 other abroad experiences where I lived with families from the host country. I found that living in an apartment gave me the freedom to eat what I want, come and go as I please, and really have to provide for myself, which got me out in the community more.

Personal comments:
My roommates and I LOVED our apt. We could not have gotten luckier. Amy is the director of housing at the university and she is beyond sweet! Our apartment was SO nice. I definitly recommend this type of living for someone who is used to being independent. For those not so independent living with a family is a better option because you don't have to worry about filling your basic needs in a foreign country i.e: the family does you laundry and cooks for you, if you are in an apt you are responsible for all of that. My other 2 trips I stayed with families and I will say it was nice to not think about cleaning, cooking, or washing clothes!

Type of housing: A room exchange

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I would have liked to live with other people in my program that spoke English and we could have experienced Spainish culture together.

Personal comments:
The University program itself was great. The teachers and faculty were excellent and the tours were enjoyable.

Type of housing: Flora Residence

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartament

Why? More freedom. You get a check/cash for food. You can have guests at your dispance.

Personal comments:
The RA in the Flora housing has such strict rules, he makes it almost impossible to feel liek an adult. We are treated as children. I dont like it. With out he current RA, I would be so much happier with hte housing situation. Also, we only have one computer. It is very slow.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I loved my apartment, it was an excellent location and very nice.

Personal comments:
I stayed in the dorm for the first semester and do not recommend it. Having an aprtment allows one much more freedom.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I loved living in an apartment! I only just wish that I could have been living with students of the country in which i was studying, so that I could have had a better feel for the language. But, overall it was wonderful and I met great people!

Personal comments:
Everything was really great! I know that the person in charge of housing tried really hard to make the best accomodations for everyone and also helped in making the entire stay worthwhile!

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I would live in an apartment because you have more freedom but if you wanted to meet people it I would suggest living in a dorm.

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: With a family

Why? I really enjoy living in an apartment and having roomates. It is also in a location emersed in the city, which is great. But if I had more time here and could choose another place to stay on a different semester, I would choose to live with a family. I would be able to enhace my speaking and learn even more about the culture.

Personal comments:
Suffolk has truely amazed me in every aspect. The staff/faculty at this university strives to make the students' experience the best it possibly can. The living accommodations are wonderful, the excursions are tons of fun and educational, and the people are so nice. If I ever have any questions, concerns, or need to talk to someone, I know that I can trust the staff at Suffolk and they will do all they can to help me.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Suffolk has aquired some great locations for its dorm/apartments. If I were to do it agian, I would probably want to at least try to see what I could find on my own with some friends because the RA system got a bit irritating at times.

Personal comments:
If you want a no-hassle accomidation in great locations (most are within walking distance to Sol, the main plaza of madrid) Suffolk has that aspect nailed down.

Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I loved staying with a family and would do so again but I think I would be ready the next time to stay on my own or with roomates since there is more privacy and freedom that way.

Personal comments:
The family they set me up with was great becasue we really got along well and my senora was on the young side as far as senoras go. We became good friends and I felt very comfortable staying with her and her son.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I loved living on my own and having the independence of going out to meet people in the culture.

Personal comments:
Suffolk University Madrid was extremely accomadting. Moving there from the States was an enormous adjustment and the university was very helpful. Specificly, one of of my professors, Paco Frisuelo. He independently found my classmates and I housing. Without him, we would have been lost.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? living with an older person is much more difficult than living with younger people your own age. living with a younger person from the country is preferable, but you have the freedom that is necessary in order to live like a real resident. shopping for your own groceries and learning how to deal with people in the apartment building is also a very good way to go along.

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: forced residence

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You can live better and cheaper if don't use university housing

Personal comments:
There is very little choice about housing no matter what they promise - it seems to be a personal way for someone to get rich

Type of housing: a residence, but similer to an apartment

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? dorms are good to get to know people, but after a year, you've had enough of other people's mess

Personal comments:
great location.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Some insist that living with a family is the best. However, I argue that I was able to live independently and chose my own camino for cultural understanding by having an apartment with two non-english speaking roommates.

Personal comments:
In Madrid it is difficult to find a host family due to the cramped living conditions of most families in this large city.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Independtly from the school

Why? The service provided by the university is not good at all, they make you pay for a lot of money for really bad apartments. People studying with me were not happy at all with their housing assigments

Personal comments:
It was very dissapointing. Many rules like in the army. Apartments are far. They lied to me when I applied. I thought I was going to get what they promised.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Living with 12 other students was great, I always had someone to hang out with and became close to most of them.

Personal comments:
Flora is the best! If you are sociable and want to meet a variety of different people...stay there. BUT, you must also be able to get along with all kinds of people. I loved it!

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: With Spaniards

Why? This would help me understanding/ speaking better Spanish..

Personal comments:
The University (students) has a very good reputation amongst the landlords, so they can use the same ap./ houses year after year. We were very satisfied with both the help we got from Suffolk, and the BIG ap. we ended up with!