977 reviews
4.17 / 5 based on 977 reviews
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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
During the week, I made my way around the Moncloa area of Madrid. Sol was also an area where many congregated and later cruised to a local bar or cafe. I do not recall the name of the best cafe that I visited, but the downstairs was beautifully decorated as a lounge with a see through glass floor. Events not to be missed: "as Ferias in Sevilla and the big annual celebration in Valencia.
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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Home university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Although I had the opportunity to live with a very nice woman who refrained from imposing strict rules upon the constituents of the household, I felt as if I did not have a substantial amount of personal space, which in some cases created a conflict because her motherly instincts took over where my independence began. Living in an apartment/house would also allow me to eat the food that I prefer as well as accomodate guests in a fashion that would suit me.
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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Academic
Course recommendations
Do not settle; if the program or university does not have the courses that you feel would serve you best, keep researching.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I would suggest that local students take more time to welcome the international students as well as the international students not to be so "cliquish".
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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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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
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: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
My main objectives/goals were to first improve my grammar, second, my vocabulary, and third, lose my american accent, [the first] two of which I have accomplished, and the last upon working fulltime with a telecommunications company that required me to speak spanish in a way that the hispanic clients could fully understand. If given the opportunity again, I would have attempted to make more connections with the locals which would have made my listening in class a lot easier.
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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I knew that the constituents of the city of Madrid are not nearly as open-minded as they are proclaimed to be and that racism and prejudice towards people of color run rampant in that city, especially amongst the natives (not so much the cultured/non-native locals).
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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
Although it is a large university, you will leave very prepared because it will exercise your independence and willingness to accel above and exceed the rest.
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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
Invest in a travel book to review prospective cities for travel, overprepare as far as money is concerned, people of color should beware of the prejudice but not let it ruin their experience, and remain open-minded.
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Howard C
Hampton University, Hampton, VA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I worked, but it was illegal/cash in hand work
Personal spending habits
My food was already paid for through the program, the telephone must have costed at least 5-10 dollars everytime I called the states or someone's movíl(spain), the property costs are less, I did not have to pay to get into nightclubs (and also recieved free drink vouchers on account of my own networking); finally, I spent less money traveling to three countries within Europe than I did traveling to Spain.
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Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Food, Housing, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Find cheap flights and travel with someone so hostals,food, and sometimes travel fares are not so expensive.
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