A completely immersive and challenging experience exploring a hidden gem. August 28, 2023

By A student (Psychology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/01/2022 to 07/15/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Montevideo

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

I am so grateful that I got to study in Uruguay because it is a truly hidden gem and I gained a lot from being completly immersed in the language and culture. I was independent but had support if/when I needed it which helped me grow and better understand the world and myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	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:
* 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

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)	Uruguay is a very expensive country to live in and supplementing what my host family served me with food was quite expensive.

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?	400 level spanish course at Middlebury
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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
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?	Culture class/feild trips with Sylvia! Travel within the country Meeting new/local people
* What could be improved?	information about culture shock
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wished I had known more about culture shock and how much anxiety and exhaustion that would cause me. I think this could have been covered and talked about more in pre-departure info/meetings with Middlebury.

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology of health and wellbeing
Course Department:	Psychology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was challenging when I was in class as I had to pay special attention to the lectures in Spanish. The most challenging components were in class discussions and following the other students questions and comments in Spanish. The outside of class work was much less intense than Middlebury College and we were mostly assessed through exams and projects/presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues.

Course Name/Rating:	Pedagogy
Course Department:	Education
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This class was very interesting as it offered a different perspective to the education world than I am used to receiving in education classes in the US. We went on interesting feild trips to local schools and the professor was knowledgeable and passionate about the material. We were assessed through presentations/projects.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues

Course Name/Rating:	Psycholinguistics
Course Department:	Education
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	I really enjoyed this course and though the professor was very well organized and clear in her instruction. The material was challenging but manageable and we were assessed through exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:	no issue