A fascinating experience that gave me ultimate appreciation for the old and new. Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2018 to 12/17/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
Learned to look at things with a different perspective as a student in a foreign country.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was difficult because of the language component but it was the classes themselves were manageable and straight foward. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Good trips, need a proposed phone plan that all students can do for a cheap price. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I wish I had lived in an apartment with other foreign students. |
| * 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? |
Spanish healthcare was very easy and accessible. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Great program, great experience |
Finances
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* 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) |
With the traveling included, I consistently spent over $200 per week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Slightly ove $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat out less, cook more. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Language pledge |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Living with native speakers is the best way to learn. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | To take care of yourself. It's a serious adjustment and you must look after yourself with the new environment. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Society and the Environment |
| Course Department: | sociology |
| Instructor: | Mercedes Pardo Buendia |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Yes, there was a lot of relevant information. Participated somewhat, but was difficult due to the Spanish speakers in the class. Assessed via papers. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
