Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Worthwhile Experience September 11, 2023

By (Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/18/2023 to 05/25/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the culture and the language, it was 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 enjoyed my experience.

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? I am not sure
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spain is generally pretty cheap, but definitely travel with money-smart people because travel is one of the biggest ways to eat a budget fast.

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? Beginner
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? Make local friends, watch shows/movies/youtube videos and read books (both academic and not) in the language, listen to music in the language, and go to restaurants and other places where you have small but important interactions with others in 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
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?
  • Language
  • People
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
  • Help for choosing classes
  • Professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I do not know.

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 Adventurer
The 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:

Nación y narración
Course Department: Middlebury School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Español
Comments: The professor was well-prepared, knowledgeable, and very engaging. I participated about the same amount as I would in Middlebury. We were assessed through one paper and one final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet, as we have not yet talked about transfer of specific credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Inteligencia Artificial
Course Department: UC3M - Leganés Campus, Informática
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Español
Comments: The professor is very lovely and extremely understanding of our struggles as international students, and thusly very accommodating, but the material was severely lacking and the instruction incredibly dull and unengaging. I did not participate at all in the class. We were assessed with two midterm exams, one final project, and one final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues transferring these credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Historia de la Música
Course Department: UC3M - Getafe Campus, Humanidades
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Español
Comments: The professor is very lovely and extremely understanding of our struggles as international students, and also very accommodating, and is willing to meet with students about anything they have questions or concerns about. He is not the most engaging professor, but he is not difficult. I only participated minimally in the class. We were assessed with one final research project/presentation and one final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Sintaxis avanzada
Course Department: Middlebury School in Spain
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Español
Comments: It was not very challenging but it was good for continuing my education on the Spanish language. The professor was reasonably knowledgeable, but less-so prepared. I participated in class the same amount as in Middlebury. We were assessed with I believe two midterm exams, two essays (one at home and one in-class), and one final.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not sure yet, as we have not yet talked about transfer of specific credits.