Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? It was extremely expensive to live with a family, but it was a great experience.

Personal comments:
It is pretty organized but it is just too expensive, $550 a month to live with a family which included 2 meals and laundry. I would have liked that option of living in an apartment with spanish speaking students as well. But I was lucky, I was definitely integrated into the family eventhough it was a business relationship.

Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
Our favorite pre-drinking bar was definitely the metro bar on calle Joaquim Maria Lopez in Moncloa, then we danced all night next door at La Notte which didn´t have a cover charge. In Madrid don´t miss Retiro Park, its beautiful. Great day trips are Toledo, Segovia and Escorial. Best restaurant to study with great food was VIPS!!!

Course recommendations:
I enjoyed very much the courses that I took at the Complutense. I had an abundance to choose from, which made it easier from the beginning. My highest recommendation would be to take up an Art History class or two. Spain had so many amazing artists from the 17th century and upward. Paintings from Goya, Picasso, Velazquez, Dali, Miro, and El Greco can be seen in various cities throughout Spain. I found it spectacular to read and study up on all of these artist and then actual see there works in person while I traveled throughout the country!! You can't do that in the US. So take advantage of that opportunity!

Personal comments:
I would highly encouraged more exchange between Spanish and foriegn students. They do offer a lot of programs, however I believe they should make it mandatory for each student to take one class that consists of only Spaniards. This could be an elective of some sort. Regardless of somebody's level, it would be the quickest and most effective way to integrate a foreign student into the life and mainstream culture of the Spanish students. This would be an excellent peak into their lives and academics. It is also a great way to make friends and practice your listening skills in a different language.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Main source of funding:
Personal savings

Other sources of funding:
Family

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
It was an opportunity to explore a whole new world of food, nightlife, museums, and travel. I wanted to be sure to experience the culture as much as I could while studying abroad.

Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Housing: was the same price as at home.

I wish I had known...
How much I was going to love it! I would have done a full university year instead of just 6 months

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.