367 reviews
3.40 / 5 based on 367 reviews
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2
Keri C
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
The euro exchange rate!!! Cell phones are outrageous, even if you are calling someone on the same block! Housing in the city was expensive about $1000/month/student. Travel- really a lot more, I don't travel to other coutries on the weekends when I am in the US :) Nightlife- there are way more hours in the night that they party in Madrid which = more hours to spend $$ and the drinks are pretty expensive. The nightlife scene can really drain your bank account. I went out a lot when I first got there, would get home at 9/10am from the night before with empty pockets, sleep until 6pm that night, and do it all over. This was a great time, but after awhile i realized how much $$ it was costing. So I changed it up, instead of going out at night I went to bed early and hopped on a random city bus early (get unlimited metro pass) in the morning and went to explore the city alone. I ran into the coolest places and bought the greatest stuff. The money I spent on drinks now went to buy clothes and other souveniers.
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Housing, Overall, Food, Travel, Telephone, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Get a metro pass for the month.
Don't go out every night.
The euro killed every purchase then... it's even stronger now... be careful!
Oh ya..and charges from your home bank. Make sure you have somethingn set up with your bank or temporarily use an international bank. BOA charges you for every transaction a f fee and a %!!! Make sure your CC companies know you are going to travel so they don't cancel your cards for suspicious activity. Have the CC comps # on hand because they will probably end up putting them on hold even if you call.
USE SKYPE.COM!!!! you will save a fortune calling home or even in Madrid its cheaper
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1
Keri C
Academic
Course recommendations
Make sure that you plan you schedule according to how active you plan on being once in Spain i.e. how much you are going to travel and go out. It may sound silly and I was someone who said "I can do it all" but traveling to different coutntries for 3 day weekends and partying into the morning hours in Madrid made things more stressful than necessary. just be realistic, you are not going to be home and there are SO many things to do
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The attendance policy was really strict and while I was there they would not let you get up to use the restroom if you were in class, not reasonable.
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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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Keri C
Overall
I wish I had known...
The school is VERY small and there are a lot of americans there, that had its good and bad sides.
It gets VERY cold in the winter time (I am from FL:) Bring an IPOD. Watch your weight, Spanish food and all the drinking really adds up!! Exercise!! Embrace everything every minute!!
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Suffolk is a small university full of caring people to help you through your stay. What housing you choose is could really shape your experience.
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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
I have really gone into a lot in the other essay areas, but just do everything. Trust me there's time. Don't sleep. You don't need to. While in Madrid I learned how to work under pressure because there was so much to do only so much could be studying. Studying in Madrid was the best experience of my life and I have gone on 2 other study abroad trips. GO GO GO. Save up your money while you are home and then go and GO BIG!! Suerte
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Keri C
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Before coming to Madrid I already attended an intense spanish study in Costa Rica the summer before. Everyone at the university spoke english.. there were people there that spoke other languages, but I was rather disappointed that more spanish wasn't spoken around me. Likewise, there were mostly American students at the university that tended to stick together b/c of the unfamiliar surroundings. Likewise my roommates were American as well and we spoke mostly English in our apt. However, i feel that my roommates and I were challenged everyday- ordering pizza on the phone, grocery shopping (the products are different and in (spanish:) talking with our maid, going out for Tapas. I think living in the apt got us out in the community more -speaking spn- and the students who lived with families got most of their practice at home
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Keri C
Housing
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.
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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!
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Keri C
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Nightlife, Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
The nightlife in Madrid is AMAZING! There are so many hot spots I can't even remember. There is a place called Bora Bora, be careful the drinks are much stronger than they taste. The Buen Retiro park cannot be missed, I used to run there all the time, amazing!! Club Pacha was a favorite of many of my friends. Just be open minded and check out everything. I know it sounds overwhelming, but if you don't you will regret is when you get back
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