617 reviews
4.30 / 5 based on 617 reviews
Useful |
1
j37m
Housing
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
Living with a family fosters intimacy and helps you to get to know the culture and language. It accelarates the feeling of being at home when you are away from your actual home and could create a lasting relationship.
Read more >
Useful |
0
j37m
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
Read more >
Nightlife: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
A bar off of Gran Via, past the post office that gives dancing lessons on Saturday nights. Also, a small cafetin on the Gran Via, of which I forget the name. The Trastero is a good bar/cafe to get to know local people at. Bars inside of the Plaza Mayor tend to be more expensive than those outside.
Read more >
Useful |
0
j37m
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: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
It is a process that at times is difficult but exciting; surrounding yourself by the language is really the only way to truly learn.
Read more >
Useful |
0
j37m
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
A private grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I was engaging in the various categories - nightlife, travel, telephone use - more than I need to at home, so naturally I spent more money on them.
Read more >
Housing, Telephone, Nightlife, Overall, Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Look for good phone card deals.
Read more >
Useful |
2
j37m
Overall
I wish I had known...
Pack minimally - you don't need much at all and it is much easier to travel.
Read more >
In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
A wonderful learing and cultural experience - one of the best decisions I've made in my life was to study there.
Read more >
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
Look for good travel opportunities through the university excusions and local travel agencies.
Read more >
Useful |
1
j37m
Academic
Course recommendations
Depending upon the type of program you are in, it could be hard to meet local students. If you're enrolled in Cursos Internacionales, you take classes in a separate part of the university than local students do, however, it is easy to meet other international students through such programs. One thing to do in order to meet local students is to get an intercambio.
Read more >
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
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
en 
English
Español
Français