Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Abroad is really hard but that doesn't make it bad Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/18/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learning to be comfortable in discomfort

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.

The final research essay for the internship was too demanding, especially since I liked the idea of doing something non-academic for my fourth credit. I think the experience of the internship itself is rigorous enough that a final paper is too much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My friends who tried to use the administration as a resource were incredibly disappointed by the lack of support. If I had had any sort of problem, I would've trusted my professors more to support me.

* 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:

Be mindful of petty theft but I always felt safe walking home alone or taking the metro right before it closed

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? Don't know

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 350
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? Do an internship

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Friends
  • Professors
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Pre departure information
  • Housing options
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take a university class

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:

Superior Spanish Syntax
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor: Beatrice
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I was excited to get an in depth grammar review, but the class was confusingly structured
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Blogging in Spain
Course Department:
Instructor: Armando
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: My favorite class and my favorite professor.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Art in Museums of Madrid: Prado
Course Department: History of Art and Architecture
Instructor: Ruth
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Loved having class in the museum, the final essay and presentation was challenging but overall really cool class
Credit Transfer Issues: