Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Madrid is amazing, the Middlebury program not so much Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2019 to 12/18/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

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.

Very few resources were available to us. The "tutor" had no prior training and was not familiar with the material in our classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had to leave my home stay because the house became unsanitary. I should not have been placed there in the first place.

* Food:

My host mother did not know how to cook and told me this on the first day. Seeing as I was paying her to cook for me, it seems Middlebury should have checked on this first.

* 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? No

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? $200

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? 300
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Classes
  • Teachers
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? //

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:

Blogging
Course Department:
Instructor: Armando
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Literature
Course Department:
Instructor: Paco
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: INCREDIBLE
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

EU
Course Department:
Instructor: Francisco
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Sintaxis avanzada
Course Department:
Instructor: Beatriz Del Valle
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Beatriz taught at her own pace without worrying about our understanding, while offering very little help and often responding to questions sarcastically. Not to mention the repeated racist remarks she made about latin and central Americans. This class was the worst part of my time abroad which is upsetting because it was required.
Credit Transfer Issues: