Best experience ever! April 06, 2022
By Arabella A (Spanish, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/23/2021 to 12/23/2021 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
My Spanish improved, I made friends, I traveled. It was amazing.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was extremely incompatible with the woman I was put with BUT Middlebury handled it very well, supported me, and helped me throughout the process. |
* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Middlebury was SO helpful when it came to insurance issues, getting health care, paying for healthcare, etc. |
* Safety: |
Madrid is an incredibly safe city! I never once felt unsafe. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Middlebury and I loved Madrid. Great program, great city. |
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) |
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Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I had meals included in my homestay except lunch so maybe 50 euros |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Not really |
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 |
Middlebury has a strong language pledge |
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? | Not sure how to answer this. I've taken lots of classes and seminars in Spanish |
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 TV shows, listen to music, try to make friends with locals |
Other Program Information
* 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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I felt well informed |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Arte en los Museos |
Course Department: | Art History |
Instructor: | Ruth Gallego |
Instruction Language: | Spanish |
Comments: | Amazing! One of the best courses I've ever taken |
Credit Transfer Issues: | N/A |