Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best Semester in 5 years. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/19/2019 to 12/21/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about Spanish politics and current culture and trends.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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? Transportation = 20 euros per month. Food = 40 euros per week more or less.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save a lot of money for little things that accumulate over time, like grabbing a snack or drinks two or three times per week. Even though each individual time is not costly, that money accumulates. Also travelling is more expensive than I expected.

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? Fluent
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 course.
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Watch videos in Spanish during free time to learn slang and more colloquial expressions you can use later on in real life.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Quicker schedule for orientation (finish earlier in the day)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing.

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 Urbanite
A 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:

Cultura y Literatura de España
Course Department:
Instructor: Francisco Layna
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Migraciones, Diversidad cultural e integracion social
Course Department:
Instructor: Aida Bueno
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Politica Española I
Course Department:
Instructor: Jose Miguel Calvillo
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Interfaces de Usuario
Course Department:
Instructor: Ana Tajadura y Teresa Onorati
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Course was very challenging because work outside of class was very independent and not guided. It was mainly challenging because most of the work needed for the assignment had not been explained in class.
Credit Transfer Issues: