Instituto Franklin - UAH

I wasn't expecting this program to be amazing but I did learn a lot. Although I wish the school paid for private insurance because with the public it was inconvenience because yo couldn't choose your time well with classes but with private you can and it would really help if us students have it. It's quite affordable to purchase. Also some classes were really helpful and I enjoyed and have learned somethings but I felt like the staff had too much on their plate so therefor they really couldn't focus on us students, although they did well. They did make me mad a few time when I kept writing them a few times to correct things and they never did it. But overall it was ok.

I studied abroad at Instituto Franklin for a semester, I did the MA in Bilingual and Multicultural Education last year and I'm doing a MA in International Education this year. I always felt safe in Alcalá and have always had a lot of support from the staff. While some classes are better than others and there can be some hiccups along the way with documents (welcome to Spain..) I still feel that I have learned a lot through my experience in the program and at the schools I have worked at. Option A (no tuition) can be a lot more work for less money in the concertado/private schools. Option A had private insurance and dental and it was very useful. I never had an issue with it. Option B is a good option if you can do it because you make more money during the months and have more free time. Option B gets public health insurance because they are paid through the Comunidad de Madrid. Option C is new for next year so I have no opinion on this yet and I'm not sure whether it would be private or public insurance. You are left to do a lot on your own because coming into this program you are an adult and not a study abroad student. You find your own housing and you make your own trips and experiences, although the university will help with people getting their foreign residency card for the first time (although this may take longer in the long run). Some schools can be hard to acclimate to and can take advantage while others are absolutely great to work at. No matter what, you will have to adapt and adjust. I think as long as you are flexible and willing to put in the work (it is a MA program) then you will enjoy this program. Any issues that I or other students may have had with the program I feel are completely outweighed by the fact that we are paying little to no tuition in comparison to the US and I feel like I can count on the staff in the office for anything, whether it be a question, a problem or for further opportunities after the program. I've talked to many alumni that have received recommendations from the staff and gotten amazing jobs after this program. I think going through this program is a lot about what you make of it. The program can be a lot of work at times with classes, work, possible private lessons and the thesis, but it is definitely doable (I'm doing it twice) and is a huge opportunity for growth. I feel that I've grown as a person, student and teacher and definitely have a completely different outlook on the world, personal relationships, work, culture and language since coming to this program.

I attended the Teach and Learn program through the Universidad de Alcala- Instituto Franklin from 2012-2013 and had a very positive experience! I had just graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX with a BA in International Studies and Political Science and knew that I wanted to live abroad and gain more insight into education systems around the world. The Teach and Learn program was perfect because I could earn money through my role as a language assistant while I pursued a Master's in International Education. The masters classes themselves aren't the most challenging, but the experience of moving to a new country, taking bilingual master's classes, learning to manage a classroom, and everything that comes with those experiences make the program incredibly valuable and formative. Students develop transferable skills related to independence, flexibility, creativity, adaptability, persistence, determination, and navigation that can be applied to a multitude of career paths. Students graduate with first-hand experience in global education systems, the Spanish language, classroom instruction, and curriculum design. I am now the Director of Education and a non-profit organization in Dallas, Texas and this degree prepared me to excel in my career today. I would highly recommend the Teach and Learn program to anyone who is seeking transferable skills, an opportunity to develop their Spanish, and pursue a career related to global education!