Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable January 30, 2023

By (Music and Spanish, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/01/2023 to 12/06/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Montevideo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
So much about South American culture and the spanish language. It was more than worthwhile.

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:

At home, 5 stars. Uruguayan cuisine in general, 3.5

* 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? No

I would go to Argentina.

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? $30-$40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook.

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? 478
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 spanish-speaking friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • Deep immersion for learning spanish.
  • International Montevideo Students organization.
  • Host family and friends.
* What could be improved?
  • Knowledge on teaching style of university.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How class schedules and teaching styles were at the public university.

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:

Lectoescritura 4
Course Department: Music
Instructor: Rilla
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Reasonably challenging but engaging. This 4th semester class has much more simple music theory than harmony 2, a 2nd semester class. Teacher was intelligent and patient. We turned in a portfolio of work at the end of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: We shall see.
Course Name/Rating:

Historia de la Música
Course Department: Music
Instructor: Carreño
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Not particularly challenging. Intro class, on zoom, so not very engaging either. A midterm and a final, both true/false.
Credit Transfer Issues: We shall see.
Course Name/Rating:

Introducción a la Musicología
Course Department: Music
Instructor: Ferreira
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Relatively interesting for a zoom class. Lots of cool info in the history of musicology. A midterm and a test, both different types of long answer questions.
Credit Transfer Issues: We shall see.
Course Name/Rating:

Guitarra 1
Course Department: Music
Instructor: Marasco
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Very enjoyable to have a private guitar teacher as a class. A wonderfully unique experience. Final performance at the end of the semester.
Credit Transfer Issues: We shall see.