The only American in a small Spanish city. August 29, 2023
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Claremont McKenna College) - abroad from 08/29/2022 to 06/26/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Logrono
I learned a ton of Spanish and understood very deeply how countries and cultures can vary and perceive the world in different ways. While it was difficult, it was most definitely worth while, and I'd do it again in a heartbeart.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
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If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I was looking for a program in a small, intimate community where the population didn't (couldn't) speak in English. My goal was to achieve a Spanish level close to fluency, and I thought Middlebury's program in Logroño was perfect for that. |
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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 75 euros |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking saves you more money and avoid bars if saving money. |
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 |
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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? | Spanish 102 |
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? | Ask Chat GPT to have conversations with you and ask it to correct your grammar. |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how lonely it could get as the only American, and on the flipside, how that feeling wouldn't last forever while there either. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |