Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Kicking it in Córdoba August 15, 2023

By (Abroad, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/01/2023 to 06/15/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile, but I didn't learn that much because Europe felt similar enough to the US.

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.

I wouldn't say I liked the class options nor the style of teaching.

* 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:

Super safe

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

I had a great easy time living in Europe. It felt stable and safe and was all great besides the school.

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)

I chose to travel.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 65 without travel, 350 with travel
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy the Abono or Renfe joven pass to get discounts on trains.

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
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Friends on the program
  • Independence
  • Living in a small city
* What could be improved?
  • Better classes somehow
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It is really much easier to go abroad with friends because making local friends is way harder and less appealing than you would think.

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:

Judaism to Islam
Course Department: Gestión Cultural
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I didn't like that we listened to the teacher talk the whole time with no slides.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Ethics of Cultural Administration
Course Department: Gestión Cultural
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This was my best most dynamic class in Córdoba. I made friends with all my peers too.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Filosophy of Art
Course Department: Art history
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The other students were very lazy.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Spanish
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: The instructor is amazing! I wish we talked more in class in stead of focusing on such specific small things.
Credit Transfer Issues: No