A study abroad experienced filled with lots of Spanish and lots of travel April 19, 2023
By A student (Political Science, Spanish, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2022 to 12/15/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
I gained the experience of living and adjusting to an entirely new country and culture; and I was able to travel to so many places I never thought I would see
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* 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? |
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| * Food: |
Had very little variety in traditional meals, but I had an older host grandma and she did absolutely everything she could for me! |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I think that I enjoyed the language pledge component of it and would do it once but if I were to study abroad again I would choose an english-speaking program. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-200 depending on travel |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget out your trips and buy groceries to avoid eating out for lunch a lot |
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 |
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| 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 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? | It takes a while to get adjusted but you will |
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? | 0 |
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? | that I will get adjusted to the lifestyle even if it takes 3-4 weeks |
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: |
Advanced Syntax |
| Course Department: | Grammar |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | She was not very helpful in providing the best instructions for the course and she was often unkind to some individuals. I liked her as a person, but not as a professor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
