Studying abroad is worth it! September 10, 2023

By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/30/2023 to 05/12/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

Yes, it was worthwhile. I became more independent and got more real-life skills and became more adaptable. I also learned a lot about Spain and took in a lot of culture in Madrid and I feel like I got to know the city pretty well. I also got to travel to lots of cool places in Europe!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

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 really enjoyed being in Madrid. I love the Middlebury program and staff, love the city, and love the language.

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?	$700
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't eat out at restaurants very often, you'll save a lot of money

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?	Speak with native speakers

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
* 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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	the city my friends in the program traveling
* What could be improved?	housing options academic calendar (very long, we all were burnt out)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It's not as scary as it seems to go abroad

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 in Spain
Course Department:	School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was not challenging, we took one cool field trip, the teacher was fairly well prepared, I participated more than I would have at my home institution, we were assessed with writing assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	Nation & Narration
Course Department:	School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was challenging, we didn't go on field trips, the teacher was very knowledgable and well-prepared, I participated similar amounts to what I would at my home institution, we were assessed with a paper and an exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	20th century art
Course Department:	School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was fairly challenging, we had one class each week in the classroom and one in a museum to look at the paintings we were studying in real life which I loved, the teacher was very knowledgeable and well-prepared, I participated the same amount that I would have at my home institution, we were assessed with exams and papers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no

Course Name/Rating:	Superior Sintaxis
Course Department:	School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was challenging, we didn't take field trips but had assignments that required us to visit various parts of Madrid on our own time, the teacher was very knowledgable and well-prepared, I participated more in this class than I typically do at my home institution, we were assessed with exams and homework worksheets.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no