Type of housing:
Apartment/House

Arranged by:
Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose:
Apartment/House
Why? I think that, particularly for Americans who study abroad through a program, it's best to arrange your own housing to better benefit from having to function completely independently. You choose the location and with whom you live, and also have the freedom that is lacking with homestays.

Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Travel, Activities, Nightlife take/s place mostly outside the university/student environment

Course recommendations:
None

The language of instruction was:
Spanish

My proficiency in the language of instruction:
before: Did not speak it
after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)

Learning the language of instruction was a factor in choosing my host country

Main source of funding:
Government assistance

Other sources of funding:

Work opportunities
It was not legal for me to work.

Personal spending habits:
If your flat doesn't already have a phone installed, then it will likely be exorbitant to do so. Likewise, mobile phones (credit) cost more here than in other Western European countries. Groceries are cheap in some places (Alcosto, Dia, Lidl, & sometimes Hipercor) and not in others (El Corte Ingles). Decent restaurants are often cheaper: look for the no-name menu del dia places behind Puerta del Sol.

I wish I had known ...
Cost of telephony

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.