976 reviews
4.17 / 5 based on 976 reviews
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Kat M
Overall
I wish I had known...
Just being prepared to go through culture shock and homesickness. It hit me like 6 monthes after Iīd been here. And realizing that looking for housing can be difficult.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Itīs fine, but expect some changes.
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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
Everyone should study abroad. Despite itīs ups and downs. It was definitly one of the best decisions I made in my life. It really opened me up, now I plan to work abroad after I finish school.
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Kat M
Academic
Course recommendations
Well, my program of exchange was designed for American students. So all of my classes only had Americans in them, which made it difficult to interact with natives. Plus, I had a difficult time adjusting to how the courses are taught in Spain. You really donīt do anything the whole semester till finals and midterms come and you are forced to cram. Plus, they are all lectures so itīs difficult to interact and particpate in class. It made me appreciate how American University is taught.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I think itīs difficult when your dealing with how another culture teaches. I prefer it more like American University, where I believe you learn more because you are not forced to cram at the end of the semester and work and exams are spread out equally through out the semester.
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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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Kat M
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I think I improved, but I still think I should have become more fluent. But that is partially my fault for lack of getting more involved. Plus, the Spanish is Spain is a little more difficult to learn than other regions of Latin America.
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Kat M
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
More of less was because the dollar is a lot stronger than the Spanish Peseta. And Iīm from California where most prices are inflated anyways.
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Overall, Nightlife, Travel, Housing, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Well, housing in Madrid is inexpensive especially for a big city. I paid 200$ a month including utilities and furnishings for my flat. But internet cafes can eat your wallet up, especially if your an internet junkie like myself. But overall Spain is lightly less inexpensive than the US.
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Kat M
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I think, I would have preferred to live in my favorite barrio in Madrid, which is Malasaņa. Itīs really cheap and you get some nice flats, plus there are so many cool shops and bars within walking distance from your doorstep. Although the area I lived in was pretty cool and close to school.
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Personal comments
Well the University of Madrid is the biggest University of Spain. So most students live in flats off campus. It can be tough searching for a flat, especially when your not quite native in the language and your not quite familiar with the area in which you want to live in. But with time and patience you can find one that is inexpensive and nice. But itīs best to look before other students arrive in the season, because it becomes much more difficult after that. And some owners, donīt feel confident in renting to international students.
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Kat M
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Malasaņa was my favorite spot for nightlife. It has a bunch of really cool music bars that have cheap drinks. My favorite bars were La Via Lactea and Morgensterns. Plus, there are primarely only other Spanish there so its more cultural. I also liked this Irish pub in my area Arguelles called Finbars. It was my local pub. There are a lot of concerts in Madrid in which a lot of American and Spanish bands play. One event not to miss in september is the Spanish Communist Party fundraiser. Its a big festival weekend festival, with a lot of food from every province of Spain, music from Spain, and itīs just one kick-ass party thats dirt cheap to get into, plus everything including the festival food is cheap. I guess it kinsa has to be since it is a communist fundraiser.
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