Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Being Mexican in Madrid Past Review

By (Pomona College) - abroad from 08/27/2017 to 12/13/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to salsa/bachata dance really well (actually competing in those dances now). I learned a lot about the history of the places I visited. I enjoyed Madrid and all it had to offer. Yes it was worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The first week of orientation, the helpers, and the amount of effort they put into us was very good.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I wish I had lived in an apartment with students. I feel like we're pushed to do a homestay for cultural learning and what not but I feel like a strong group of friends that are in our age group can be much better suited for cultural exploration especially if they go out and explore the city they are in. Can't really do that with the host family I was with (which wasn't really a family it was just one lady).

* Food:

I ate kebabs everyday because they were cheap. I feel like one gave me a stomach flu one day.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was very hard to find Spanish friends. I mainly stuck with Erasmus and people from my program.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare system was amazing and I had a great insurance policy.

* Safety:

Never felt unsafe.

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

They did everything very well and gave us plenty of support.

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)

This is a confusing rating I don't get it but I ended up having to use personal funds by the end of the program, mainly because I traveled a lot.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? ~70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy plane tickets early. Don't miss said flights.

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

5 frequent encouragement.

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? A Spanish Literature course.
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? Try really hard to do a langauge exchange. I gave up because the people I was set up with were not consistent and flaked on me. Perhaps you'll have better luck.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The city
  • The location in the world
  • The dancing
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing really
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That'd I'd have to make a pretty big effort to connect with the locals.

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.