367 reviews
3.40 / 5 based on 367 reviews
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Melissa L
Housing
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.
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Melissa L
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Activities, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
well if you go to suffolk, you definitely want to hit up cats, a local bar in the moncloa area. also larios is a nice upper class jazz bar, but if you wanna hear the blues, definitely go to populart, that's near sol. also dont miss out on going to the theatre and seeing movies. it's a great way to become immersed in the language.
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Melissa L
Academic
Course recommendations
take all the courses you can in spanish. you can study in english in america! the professors are totally helpful if you are struggling, but you need to work hard as well.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
have more courses taught in spanish.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Melissa L
Overall
I wish I had known...
i wish i had taken my language study more seriously so i could have eased into the culture more, but i'm still grateful for what i learned
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
this is a great university. the professors are more than willing to help you with whatever you need especially Paco, Professor Suarez Galvan, Professora Carmen Sierra, Shin, Jose Luis, and Alvaro. i've never had relationships this close with any of my professors or school administrators before.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Definitely take advantage of travelling. Go to as many places as you can and don't make friends with only Americans. Get to know Spaniards, get out of your "comfort zone." Try every different kind of food you can, go to flamenco shows, the different festivals, and take lots of pictures, but i would get them developed in America. OH and pack light!
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Melissa L
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
I worked, but it was illegal/cash in hand work
Personal spending habits
it is so much cheaper to live in spain than it is in boston. the only things that i found more expensive were clothing and shoes. i only spent around $6,000.00 for a whole year.
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Food, Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
be very cost weary for the first half of your trip. dont spend money on things you don't need, buy food from little fruit stores and butcheries, dont go to el corte ingles to go food shopping. after you get to know the place and you've been there a while then you can start to spend with more ease. always have cash on you and keep a budget book. month by month is a good way to go.
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Melissa L
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Basic phrases
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
When i first got to spain, i won't lie. i was thrown off by how fast everyone spoke, it was not like the class room at all. by second semester i could write with more ease, i didnt get flustered when going into restaurants, theatres, supermarkets, etc. i won't say i am fluent but i learned more in 10 months in spain than i did in 7 years of study in america.
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