Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Enlightening experience Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 06/02/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Getafe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a greater understanding of a new culture and improved my Spanish a lot. Definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a list of all expenditures.

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? Fluent
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? 349
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? Talk to natives and read a lot in Spanish to broaden your vocabulary. Also helpful to watch Spanish TV programs- helps a lot with understanding aspect.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Courses offered
  • Spanish grammar class
  • Spanish language pledge
* What could be improved?
  • Provide more information on housing opportunities
  • Provide more information on transportation and travel opportunities within Spain
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know that my housing was not the best option out there. If I were to do this program again I would not live in a residencia and would instead look for an apartment.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Territorio y Sociedad
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Very interesting course and learned a lot about the geography of Spain and environmental issues in the area. Was important to pay attention in class every day because we had a quiz at the end of each lecture
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Guerra Civil
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Course is challenging if you don't have any prior knowledge on the Spanish Civil war. Final exam was all multiple choice and the questions were taken directly from the lectures. Important to take a lot of notes- some of the questions on the final exam were essentially quotes from the professors lecture, so take very detailed notes.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sociologia de Espana
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Christina Benlloch
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Course was interesting but the professor was not very prepared to teach the course. Final exam was straightforward.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Historia Economica
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Juan Carmona and Sergio
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Great course and great professors. Professors were very accommodating of international students. Was easy to understand lectures and keep up with material.
Credit Transfer Issues: