Difficult but worth it February 01, 2026
By Chloe W (Political Science and Government, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2025 to 12/18/2025 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
I learned how to be uncomfortable and work through the feeling. Culturally it is important to learn what it is like to be an outsider and not be 100% comfortable speaking the language, but still having to apply it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, and although they did their best to welcome me and accommodate me into their home, I found it difficult to live with another family. The Spanish schedule is much later than I am used to. The food I ate was very bad, and I think this was a common experience for most students in the program who lived with a host family; the Spanish cuisine is not very good. I had to pay my host family in cash, which also made it feel like it was centered a lot around the money. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Although it was difficult, I think having a program in Madrid versus a small town was very worth it. The classes I took through Middlebury were excellent and the professors were very engaged. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't stay with a host family and cook at home a lot |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Span 241 |
| 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? | Commit to the language pledge and speak with locals in Spanish even though it is intimidating. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You don't have to be fluent going into this program, your brain will adapt very quickly. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
