A memorable once in a lifetime opportunity. Past Review
By Eli Miller (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
I gained a great deal of independence and learned how live in not only in a city but in a totally different country. It was extremely worthwhile.
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. |
I thought that the intensity of the classes was the perfect amount of difficulty. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Communication was clear with the entire administration regarding registration for classes, extracurricular events, and any other questions I had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great experience with my host family and had no issues. |
| * Food: |
Food was great everywhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
At times it was difficult to get involved with the students as the local university because of their tight-knit social groups. Volunteering at a school would have helped me at least feel more culturally involved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No issues regarding health. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe while in the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Less intensive academics that allow free time/travel. |
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) |
Very manageable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Close to $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out for lunch everyday if you want to save money. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 300 level course. |
| 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? | Any opportunity you have to speak Spanish, especially with native speakers, do it. |
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? | The cultural opportunities that the program offered in order to connect students with the community they were living in. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Blogging in Spain |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Armando Figueroa |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Armando was a great professor and I learned a lot about current Spanish politics and was able to strengthen my speaking skills through various presentations. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | None |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spanish Syntax |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Beatriz Del Valle |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | The course was challenging but manageable. At times it was difficult to follow each lecture but the grading and tests were fair. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I had no issues with transfer of credit, but I also attend Middlebury so it was seamless. |
