Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersion in beautiful city! August 07, 2025

By (Spanish, Kenyon College) - abroad from 02/05/2025 to 06/22/2025 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Advanced Spanish skills + real life experience (what to do if you get stranded in a foreign country without a phone?)

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.

Not very difficult if you speak Spanish

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All staff were located in Madrid, 2 hours away, but this was never a problem for me (there was also a student guide who was lovely) and starting next semester I believe Middlebury will be keeping an employee at Córdoba as well.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a lovely apartment which was nicer than any of the places I've stayed for school in the US, though worse than some of the other Córdoba housing. I wish my roommates wanted to speak more Spanish than they did, though.

* Food:

Spanish food is cheap and delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were plenty of opportunities to integrate if you were willing to speak Spanish. I was quite timid, but despite that I still think I integrated well-ish, and someone more outgoing than me would do even better.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A since I never had any health problems, but it seemed quite accessible from the tours our student guide gave us

* Safety:

Extremely safe

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

I loved the program itself, I loved the city and the classes I took. My only problems were with a few other program students who didn't want to stick to the language contract

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)

Very minimal cost and I ate out frequently

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? At the beginning when I ate out every day for every meal, 100 a week. When I prepped food at home, 15-20 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home more than I did

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

Language contract = must speak Spanish exclusively

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? In uni I've only ever taken upper-level language courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Watch movies, TV shows, YouTube in Spanish. Listen to music in Spanish. Try thinking in Spanish too so you never leave immersion

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
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?
  • Spanish
  • Beautiful city
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • The other students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I traveled more in the early months of the program. I mostly traveled at the later end when I was far more busy with assignments

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:

Teoría de la Literatura

Course Department: Filología Hispánica
Instructor: Victoria Aranda Arribas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: A challenging but rewarding course for fans of lit theory! Intelligent, knowledgeable professor who did her best to include me despite me being a relatively quiet foreigner. Rewards hard work. Grades determined by 2 essay assignments, a weighty final exam, and participation.
Credit Transfer Issues: