Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying in Madrid was an enriching and important experience in my life. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/14/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned about living in a big city, living in another culture. Was definitely worthwhile.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* 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:

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? ~120-140
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? 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

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? 300 level at Middlebury
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? Speaking with locals/immersing yourself

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The language
  • The city
  • The kids
* What could be improved?
  • Classes
  • Orientation
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Living close to the Sede Prim is not as important as I thought it would be

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Políticas Sociales y El Estado de Bienestar
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Maria de la Paloma Bru Martin
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Course was fairly uninteresting, although the teacher was very nice and knowledgeable. Basically the entire grade was a final paper in which instructions were very unclear.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sociedad y Medioambiente
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Mercedes Pardo Buendia
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Professor was very knowledgeable. No field trips. Course was reasonably challenging, learned a lot about climate change. Teacher not always very organized.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Historia Contemporanea
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Beatriz de las Heras Herrero
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Course was all lecture based, but the final didn't necessarily reflect entirely what we had learned in class. No field trips. Teacher was knowledgeable.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.