Tough but rewarding semester Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/31/2018 to 06/16/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about Spanish culture and about myself as I navigated a new environment. My language skills improved so much and I became more confident in them.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300-level at Middlebury (below 350)
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Historical sites in Córdoba
  • Interesting classes
* What could be improved?
  • More organized housing process/option to live with host families
  • More programming during the semester
  • Better health information provided at the beginning
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If I could do it again, I think I would have taken more advantage of the free time I had at the beginning of the semester before classes got harder. Even though my Spanish wasn't as good at the beginning, I wish I had participated in some sort of community service or volunteer work then.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Medieval Christian Art in Spain

Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Pedro Francisco Marfil Ruiz and Alicia Carrillo Calderero
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

The Artistic Legacy of al-Andalus

Course Department: Art History
Instructor: Alicia Carrillo Calderero
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: