Hard work and a whole lot of play January 24, 2024

By A student (Psychology and Film, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2023 to 01/12/2024 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

I learned so much not only about myself, but about who we are as people. It was unforgettable and getting to spend it with people who used to be complete strangers and are now some of my closest friends is something I will cherish forever.

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
* 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 It was the most unbelievable experience I think I have ever had and if I could I would go back tomorrow.

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?	At least $200, more if traveling
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	I would try to stay aware of what you're spending and what on. Prioritizing your goals early on definitely helps too! If you want to travel a lot, make sure to give yourself ample financial room to do so.

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?	Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	I'm a native speaker
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?	Make friends with the locals! It truly helps to have people who are native in your target language, whether they are in your program or just from your host country.

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	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?	Food Friendships Support
* What could be improved?	Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I know how quickly the time flies, and that there will always be days that you just want to lay in bed and take it easy, but you won't ever be this person in this place ever again, and that trumps just about anything else.

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:	Don Quijote
Course Department:	Spanish Literature
Instructor:	Paco Layna
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was challenging, but incredibly enjoyable! It was an incredibly unique experience to read Don Quijote in Spain, and we even got to visit Cervantes' house in Madrid at the end of the course!
Credit Transfer Issues:	Not as far as I know

Course Name/Rating:	Arte en el Museo del Prado
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:	Ruth Gallego
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	It was challenging, but incredibly rewarding. We got to visit both the Prado and Reina Sofia art museums in Madrid, highlights of the semester for sure! I've never taken an art history course before, and it was a truly unbelievable experience. I would recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in art, history, or anyone wanting to get a better understanding of their host countries culture.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Not as far as I know.

Course Name/Rating:	Percepción y Atencción
Course Department:	Facultad de Psicología UAM
Instructor:	Maria Pilar Aivar
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Fine class, definitely challenging. I would say the most important aspect to studying at a Spanish university is making at least one close friend that can show you the ropes and give you tips. My time in this class and my other Spanish university class would have genuinely been impossible without some help from a local.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Not as far as I know.

Course Name/Rating:	Psicología de la Personalidad
Course Department:	Facultad de Psicología UAM
Instructor:	Luis Manuel y Eva Garrosa
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This was also a really difficult class, but I found it more enjoyable than the other course I took at UAM. I found the classwork to be both immersive, and help me figure out how to actually apply the skills I was learning in the class in real world contexts that pique my interest.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Not as far as I know.