Córdoba, Spain: Spring 2023 August 15, 2023

By A student (Spanish and Iberian Studies, Kenyon College) - abroad from 02/03/2023 to 06/20/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Study abroad was very worthwhile. I gained independence, adaptability, cultural awareness, appreciation for art from another perspective, significantly better casual language use. The Middlebury program with the language pledge was particularly important to me.

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?	I had a wonderful homestay experience close to the heart of Córdoba's cultural area.
* Food:	I had a great experiencing trying new Spanish foods. Córdoba is also very inexpensive compared to other cities.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I came to consider Córdoba home. The local people were friendly and accommodating. I always felt safe. I enjoyed the smaller size of the city which had festivals and cultural activities very frequently, but allowed me to find my favorite places and really immerse in the location.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Córdoba is extremely safe. In fact, I felt safe throughout Spain including doing several solo trips to bigger places like Granada and Madrid.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	My homestay included 3 meals per day, rent and utilities for 750 euros per month. Beyond that I spent at most 100 euros a week. I traveled extensively in-country and found the trains very inexpensive.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	There are so many places to see in Spain. Many international students were always leaving the country, but budget-friendly travel was so easy from Madrid and Córdoba. Pack a water bottle to save on drinks, especially since you have to pay for water at restaurants! Also many tapas places give you a complementary tapa with your drink!

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	Full immersion program with a language pledge
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	300 level literature courses at Kenyon College
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* 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?	Middlebury Staff and Students Host Family & Host City Ability to take a number of classes in my Spanish major for my Art History major.
* What could be improved?	Local university orientation and UCO advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	While I understood the big differences in teaching and assignments between my small liberal arts college and the large local university, it was still the biggest culture shock I had abroad.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	El Legado Artístico de Al-Ándalus
Course Department:	Historia del arte
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Every student that is in Córdoba, regardless of their major, should take this fantastic class which included field trips to local sites including the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba and the Alhambra in Granada.
Credit Transfer Issues: