Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life-Changing! Past Review

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/17/2018 to 12/22/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Getafe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes worthwhile. I got to travel to places I had never been to and talk to people with such different experiences than my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Middlebury school was very rigorous. Getafe a little bit less so.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were sometimes rude and seemed to not understand what we were going through. I did not feel comfortable going to them if I needed help or was struggling. I felt like they were constantly mad or disappointed in me.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very satisfied. I definitely paid a lot for it but the housing was really nice.

* Food:

Inexpensive and yummy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I found it somewhat difficult to integrate in such a short amount of time. I do think that living in a homestay better allows students to connect with the native culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any healthcare issues while in Spain.

* Safety:

I felt incredibly safe in Madrid.

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

I loved Madrid.

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)

Spain was much cheaper than Middlebury, and generally cheaper than other abroad programs as well.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Live in an apartment. Apartments are really cheap compared to both the homestay and residencias.

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+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Live with people who speak Spanish as opposed to other Erasmus students.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Madrid
  • Inexpensive
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • People working at the Sede could be nicer
  • Integration with local community
  • More guidance with housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Live in 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:

Advanced Spanish Communications I
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor: Carmen
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Carmen was the best Spanish Professor, and probably the best all around professor, I have ever had. She cared so much about all of us and I really felt like she was invested in our learning experience.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues because this class was through Middlebury.
Course Name/Rating:

Society & The Environment
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Pretty easy class.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. Many Middlebury students have taken this class in previous years.
Course Name/Rating:

Social Policy & Welfare State
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Pretty easy class.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. Other Middlebury students have taken this class in past years.
Course Name/Rating:

Markets and the Environment
Course Department: Economics
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: A little challenging to understand complex topics in Spanish, but the professor was really great at explaining topics after class or in office hours.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. Other students had taken this class in previous years so it was pretty easy.