Spanish language and cultural immersion in the capital city that never sleeps January 22, 2026

By A student (Economics and Sociology, Pomona College) - abroad from 08/20/2025 to 12/21/2025 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

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

The highs and lows of study abroad really do vary, and the lows can be really challenging. After the initial honeymoon phase of excitement and newness wore off, I struggled with feelings of isolation and frustration. The language barrier also magnified the feeling of being detached from the city/culture. In addition, study abroad is often something that’s deeply romanticized and portrayed as all parties and fun, when it really can be challenging and more of a rollercoaster than expected. However, every challenge helped me grow a lot, and I learned how to adapt to unexpected situations.

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:	Madrid is very safe! Just be mindful of your belongings/pickpockets, as you would in any major European city.
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)	Living with a host family on the middle plan meant I ate out daily for lunch, which was a budgeting challenge. Additional dinners out with friends and traveling added up.

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?	SPAN101
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?	Embrace embarrassment. Don't be afraid to get things wrong.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* 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?	Language immersion Home stay Program excursions and events
* What could be improved?	Enrollment at public university Interactions with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The language component can be overwhelming and frustrating, so make sure to build in time to check in with family and friends back home, or take a breather.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Social participation processes and methodology (13040)
Course Department:	Sociology, Carlos III University
Instructor:	Maria de la Paloma Bru Martin
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Analysis of social problems II: gender inequalities (14488)
Course Department:	Sociology, Carlos III University
Instructor:	Magdalena Diaz Gorfinkel, Begoña Marugan Pintos
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Superior Syntax
Course Department:	Spanish, Sede Prim
Instructor:	Beatriz del Valle
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Fantastic Spanish grammar/syntax course built into the Middlebury Madrid program. Enhanced my confidence with communicating and thinking in Spanish.
Credit Transfer Issues: