Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I want to go back to Madrid! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 01/20/2020 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained language and cultural skills, new experiences, and independence. it was 100% worthwile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

I would choose the midd program because it coordinated everything very well. However I might have chosen different classes.

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? probably 50 euros a week in addition to my home stay food
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? budget how much you want to spend on clothes, food, going out, trips, etc..

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? 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? 300 level
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? do an intercambio, stay with a host family and talk with them, make an effort with the other students

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
  • International 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?
  • outside classroom programming they had
  • the ease of finding a host family
  • resources we could use
* What could be improved?
  • the intermediate grammar class
  • the orientation week
  • homestay locations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had been placed in the lower grammar class. Also to do more research on Carlos III classes.

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:

The European Union
Course Department:
Instructor: Francisco Seijo
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I learned a lot about international politics and how the EU functions as well as individual roles of different countries. We had 2 essays and 2 presentations. there were no field trips. it was relevant to spain and europe in general.
Credit Transfer Issues: not sure, i don't think so