977 reviews
4.17 / 5 based on 977 reviews
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mugal28
Academic
Course recommendations
Unless you can work it out to stay the entire academic year, it's nearly impossible to take classes with the Spanish students in the Complutense. I was happy with my courses in the Reunidas (a group of many American Universities within the Complutense) but it would have been nice to have an even more authentic experience.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
More tests and quizzes throughout. Spaniards take one midterm and one final- that determines your whole grade! It's great for a while, but come finals you feel the pressure.
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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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mugal28
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Family
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
At home, I tend to be pretty tight with my budget. I don't have the opportunity to travel as much, the nightlife isn't as exciting so I tend to spend wisely. Going to Spain, I KNEW my choices would be much more interesting, so I planned for that. However, the exchange rate was amazing & I ended up spending less than $2500 for the whole semester (i.e. food, entertainment, travel.) My trip to Mallorca was only $200 after all was said & done!
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Telephone, Nightlife, Travel, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Housing:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I liked using traveler's checks, waiting for a good exchange rate, and then cashing in large amounts. People who used their ATM cards didn't realize how much they were spending. However, with the EURO being in place now, it's easier to determine how much you're actually giving away.
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mugal28
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: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
AMAZING!!! I REALLLLLY saw a difference. My accent improved, my use of tenses and grammar came more naturally. When I came back, I had trouble remembering English, I was so used to communicating in Spanish.
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mugal28
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I had known what an incredible program I would be attending and what a life-altering experience it would be for me. I would have alloted an entire year to spend in Madrid.
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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
Marquette's program covers everything. The academic aspect is great- being in a very prestigious Spanish university with TONS of opportunities to use all of their facilities. Marquette does both day and overnight trips for the group, provides a wonderful group advisor who helps out in any situation. The homestay was wonderful. I couldn't have asked for more. While other students I know saw their trip simply as a few months of partying, mine was a chance to change my entire way of life. I HIGHLY recommend Marquette in Madrid through the Universidad Complutense.
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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
Amazing. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
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mugal28
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Pick ONE in MADRID!? I just couldn't. We did SO MUCH. The clubs are amazing, especially Joy and Kapital. Cafes are everywhere, and the less touristy ones always had the best food. Really, you have to try to see everything...it's just too amazing a city to pick a few things.
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mugal28
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Home university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
Living with my senora was an amazing experience. I got home cooking and a real homey feel. She showed interest in me and helped me to feel comfortable in my times of confusion or frustration. She taught me what it was really like to live in Madrid. Of course, there were occasional barriers between us, but ultimately, it was great to have to use my language skills to work out even the most minor problems.
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Personal comments
Going in the fall is especially exciting because we were able to live in one of the residencias (dorms) for the first two weeks before we got our home stays. This gave us the chance to get to know the SPanish students as well as form a tight bond with the rest of the Americans. We were able to practice our Spanish together, explore the city, walk to class together...just help each other out in those first few difficult weeks.
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