Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

amazing cultural and educational experience May 23, 2023

By (Political Science and Government, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/01/2022 to 06/01/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a new understanding of Spanish culture, which is completely worthwhile.

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.

* 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 loved Madrid and came out of the program having gained so much. I would not change how I did abroad.

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? 150

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? 350
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Activity opportunities
  • Emphasis on language
* What could be improved?
  • Living options
  • Class content options
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that it would be really hard and exhausting for the first few weeks but that is natural and it gets a lot easier.

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:

EU
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This was a challenging class, but I learned a lot and found the course material to be very fitting while living abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Grammar
Course Department: Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I thought this class was so important and helpful in improving both my written and my communication skills.
Credit Transfer Issues: