Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Best Semester of My Life Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 05/11/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that it's important to strike a balance between taking advantage of every travel/party/adventure moment while abroad and also making sustainably and mindfully. If you dedicate yourself to the language pledge, you won't regret it!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The language pledge - to only speak in the target language - is the staple of this program and sets it up to be the experience of a lifetime. The program was not as rigorous academically as a normal semester at Middlebury College, although we certainly seemed to have more work than the students who attended the local Spanish universities. The classes were always very small, ranging from 5 to 12 people.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I always felt that if I needed assistance with anything - be it related to housing, academics, personal questions - I could approach the administrative staff at Sede Prim.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartment living was fun! I loved my neighborhood, Malasaña, and felt that although it was stressful coming into the program without a definite living space, I did get to see a wide variety of apartments upon getting to Madrid.

* 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

The program focused on the language immersion component and felt like a family with the small student population.

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)

It depends on where you want to live, what you want to eat, how often you want to travel. It's all a very personal choice.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50 on food a week, $100 - 200 on travel a month.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy what you can in bulk. Bars and clubs are expensive, so do what you can to save money before you head out for the night. Oh, and learn to cook!

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

I came into this program at an advanced level and left on the cusp of becoming fluent.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? SPAN 380
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? Listen to music in the target language and try to come up with norms surrounding using the language with your friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Immersion style
  • Location
  • Cultural activities
* What could be improved?
  • Class content - the way professors planned their classes
  • More guidance on transferring credits back home
  • Maybe more guest speakers from the Madrid community? Leaders, other educators, etc.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do everything possible to continue doing activities that you love while abroad - going to the gym, social activism, exploring nature, etc. It's all very possible.

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:

Art in the Museums of Madrid
Course Department: ART
Instructor: Ruth Gallego
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was great to go to the Prado Museum every week to see the works of art in person! The class was not very challenging and the papers seemed to be graded in a finicky kind of way. I thought though I did provide good cultural insight.
Credit Transfer Issues: