Enriching, challenging, and fun! September 18, 2023

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/25/2023 to 05/20/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

I gained language skills. I also gained independence and realized how capable I am at doing things in a foreign country. I also gained time management, to do my work while still having fun.

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 would go to Madrid still, but I would take classes at a local university instead of just Side Prim.

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
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Traveling makes it really hard to save money, so try to cook while traveling and book trips well in advance.

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?	a 300 level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Surround yourself with people who also will be speaking 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 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Location People Language
* What could be improved?	Grading standards- slightly unfair that half the students are taking the classes as pass/fail while Midd students are held to a much higher standard Events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	It is a lot of work, and I would've worked on my Spanish more before going to the program. I think it was hard being held to the same standard as people who were fluent and also people who weren't taking classes for direct transfer credit.

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:	Art
Course Department:
Instructor:	Ruth Gallego
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was challenging but manageable. We went to museums each week which was really helpful and good to see the Spanish museum scene. Ruth was very knowledgable and explained all the concepts really well. We were evaluated on essays, exams, and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Blogging
Course Department:
Instructor:	Armando Figueroa
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The class was good but very challenging. Armando was very knowledgable and helpful and made sure we integrated with Spanish culture to complete each assignment. The grading was very difficult and focused on grammar/language which made the class very difficult. We were assessed with in class writing assignments along with other group projects.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Negocios
Course Department:
Instructor:	Mercedes
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	The course was challenging but I liked it a lot. It was really helpful to apply concepts I knew from the US to the Spanish business system. I liked how it was also applicable to our lives, such as writing a resume in Spanish. We had exams which were good and also homework assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Grammar
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carmen
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class did not feel that challenging. Carmen was knowledgable and prepared, but I wanted to be in a higher level course. We were assessed with multiple different things, like essays and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No