Multi-dimensional Transformation September 10, 2023

By A student (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/30/2023 to 05/26/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

100% worthwhile! My language skills improved, but I also grew so much on a personal level by pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and taking risks. This program has left me with much more confidence in myself and my capabilities on so many levels.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The Sede Prim staff are all amazing!!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Please do not recommend BeLive in the future - very poor communication from their administration throughout and I had multiple issues with rooms (water leakage under the floor) and ended up moving twice to different rooms.
* Food:	At BeLive the food was not great.
* 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

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?	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
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?	talk to folks at bars/super markets/local shops, go see a movie in your target 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?	Sede staff support Cultural immersion activities Orientation leaders
* What could be improved?	housing options/advice information about spanish universities prior to enrollment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Spanish universities operate SO differently than US universities, and struggling to adjust to the new format does not mean you will fail - you can still be successful in a new system

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Nación y Narración
Course Department:	Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	my favorite class! amazing instructor, I learned so much from this class
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issues

Course Name/Rating:	Sintaxis Superior
Course Department:	Spanish
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issues

Course Name/Rating:	Historia de la arquitectura española contemporánea
Course Department:	Communication
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:	yes, this class is a cursillo (half credit) so it is not showing up as counting towards my Spanish major at the moment

Course Name/Rating:	Violencia política en España
Course Department:	Political Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:	yes, cursillo so not showing up as counting towards Spanish major