an experience that tested who I am and who I want to be. Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
It was worth it but it hurt my mental health. I would do it again if I could find ways to be healthier and more supported.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone at sede prim wanted to help. Each individual there cared a lot. They just did not have the right programs and ways of going about it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was challenging to have friends spread all over the place. I wouldn't change the many options we had for housing but we need one space all of us could come together that was not in an educational environment. |
| * Food: |
I found it difficult to find vegetables and fruit but it was really great to try different foods and experience the culture through eating. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I never integrated into the university. Again, I adjusted because of the support group my friends created. Not because of the programs Midd offered. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare was great. Sara Vance always made sure we were healthy and offered us many resources. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe. Middlebury did a good job of preparing and guiding us. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would want a program that has more activities and creates more of a community. |
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) |
2.5, pretty easy. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | housing was 700 euros a month. Groceries were maybe 25 euros a week and then if I wanted to I could spend max 30 euros on dinner/drinks. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Mi Casa Inns are just as expensive as an apartment and you can't cook as easily. If you want to save money on food I think an apartment is the way to go. |
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 |
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| 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? | 300 |
| 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? | Make goals of talking with your friends in the language. Ex) every time we get on the metro, once a week at din etc. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That mental health is the most important. I wish I hadn't pushed myself as far. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
SPAN 2319: Advanced Span. Communication I |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Carmen |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Carmen cares but she is disorganized. Her teaching style is messy and hard to follow. Her homework assignments are tedious and useless. I was extremely disappointed. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
