European Exploration Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/23/2018 to 12/21/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
It was worthwhile for personal exploration and spanish language improvement.
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. |
I found the Middlebury program in Madrid lacking in knowledge in terms of Carlos III courses that were recommended. I also found the Middlebury language course extremely grammar heavy and poor in cultural studies. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a single woman who was reserved. I felt that I filled an important role in her social life and felt as though I did not have the same flexibility and independence as my fellow study abroad friends. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I thought the academic component was weak. I lost passion for my studies in Madrid early on. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are staying with a family, try to bring lunch from home. |
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? | 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? | Spanish 310 |
| 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? | Live in a host family. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How to live in a huge metropolitan european area. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary History |
| Course Department: | Sociology |
| Instructor: | Jose Luis Dominguez Lopez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Best class of my semester |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Modern History of Spain |
| Course Department: | Humanities |
| Instructor: | Enrique Villalba Perez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Professor spoke very quickly. Hard to understand. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Rudiments of Psychology of Work |
| Course Department: | Employment and Labour Relations |
| Instructor: | Luis Aramburu-Zabala Higuera |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Slow pace of class. Material not very interesting |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Adv Intermed SP:Comm in Contxt |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Beatriz Del Valle |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Extremely grammar heavy. Not useful for integration into Spanish culture. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
