Life-expanding and thought provoking. Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 05/31/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned about myself as an individual and my place in a larger international world. I gained so much confidence and felt like I was truly part of a bigger Spanish speaking community.

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 It was a good balance between feeling secure and comfortable while also having the freedom to explore and grow as an individual.

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)	Madrid is relatively cheap.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$80-100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Buy food from grocery stores.

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?	Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	SPAN 360
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?	Speak with locals.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
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 Culture
* What could be improved?	Events Courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I could diverge from the structured, organized path. That I could explore my own personal projects.

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:	Sociology of Spain
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course gave me a nice overview of the sociological reality in Spain, as well as important historical events that have shaped Spanish society. I thought the professor was good at relaying information.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Arts in the Museum: Prado
Course Department:	History of Art
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	I loved that we had class in the Prado Museum every Thursday. It was a surreal and unique experience.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Superior Syntax
Course Department:	Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This grammar course was challenging but extremely helpful in order to increase my language skills and fluency. The professor expected a lot from her students but was a very proficient teacher.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No