Immersive, fun, and gratifying February 17, 2026
By Ashley C (Spanish Language, Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/19/2025 to 12/21/2025 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
I became so much better at Spanish, which was my primary goal. I also made so many friends that have taught me so much. I learned to think from new perspectives, and by communicating in the local language also learned more about the people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Generally I thought that the program had a good level of academic rigor, especially in the required grammar class. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
Towards the end of the program I went to the doctor for flu symptoms. The process of getting insurance coverage was straight forward and easy; I got quick responses from the program's health director. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really enjoyed the language aspect and focus of the program. That way, by living in a big city like Madrid, I still felt connected to Spanish culture and not overwhelmed by the international community. |
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? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your meals or communicate in advance so that either lunch/dinner is spent at the homestay/residence. This way you only pay for one meal a day instead of both. |
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? | Fluent |
| 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? | Talk to your friends about your expectations beforehand! Also don't be afraid to ask in the moment for everyone to speak in the language, sometimes I'd just start speaking Spanish and my friends would join in with me. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? |
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? | I wish that I knew more about the travel options in Spain and that I planned more of my trips within Spain ahead of time. |
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! |
