Spanish semester in the Caribbean!! January 25, 2024
By Teddy P (Geology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/07/2023 to 12/09/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Puerto Rico
I gained spanish skills, experience living on my own, made new friends. Yes, it was worthwhile.
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. |
I definitely learned in my geology courses, but in the history of Puerto Rico course I took, the quality of the teaching was not what I was used to at Middlebury. In terms of academic rigor, my classes at UPR-Mayaguez were not as rigorous as at Middlebury. That said, I really enjoyed academic experience over all. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Teresa was amazing. I felt so supported and welcome, even before I arrived in Puerto Rico. Ilia and the whole ESSA team at RUM also went above and beyond to help all of the international/exchange students there, taking us on trips, making sure we had everything figured out for school, and finding us rides to the grocery store. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really enjoyed where I lived. It was a little far from the campus (especially for walking in the summer), but they let us know that beforehand so it wasn't a surprise. My apartment was clean and well furnished, and my roommates were great. |
| * Food: |
Middlebury didn't provide any food. I cooked for myself. But most ingredients were available in the stores nearby and it went smoothly |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt somewhat integrated into local culture. I had puerto rican friends and roommates, but I also spent a lot of time by myself and with other exchange students. That said, ESSA helped a lot and allowed me to meet local friends. They even arranged for us to go to local's houses for thanksgiving. Also, I met some friends through my internship. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any experience with the health care while abroad, but I got insurance through the university. I also heard from friends that it is very difficult to get appointments and to get medical treatment, even in the ER. Wait times are long. |
| * Safety: |
I felt really safe the whole time I was there. People said that I shouldn't walk alone at night, but I never had a negative experience in the places I went. No catcalling either. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
While I loved my experience in Puerto Rico, my main purpose while studying abroad there was to learn Spanish. I probably would have learned more Spanish in a place where fewer people speak english fluently. But honestly, it's a hard question - I had a great time. |
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) |
Things were generally just a little less expensive than in the US. But, tuition, rent and food were much cheaper than living at Middlebury. I also didn't go out to eat much which helped. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I think maybe about $100. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend looking into the public transport more than I did (there's not much, but a few services do exist on campus). Also, I would recommend buying an electric scooter or bike when you arrive (it works out to be cheaper than renting every day). |
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 |
Middlebury encourages the use of the target language often, but I also didn't have much contact with the Middlebury program/other Middlebury students while abroad. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 300-level language course at Middlebury. |
| 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? | Make local friends who don't speak English! That way you won't be tempted. Also, take classes where the professor speaks only the target language. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | - local students leave every weekend - get a scooter - bring more jeans. everyone wears them even when its really hot |
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 BlazerCraving 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: |
Geomorphology |
| Course Department: | Geology |
| Instructor: | Dr. Stephen Hughes |
| Instruction Language: | english |
| Comments: | The course was not particularly challenging, but I did learn a lot. Unfortunately, we did not go on any field trips, though I wished we had. Stephen was well-prepared for each class and knowledgeable about the subject. I participated about the same as at Middlebury. I was assessed through 4 exams and other smaller assignments in lab. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I have not yet addressed transferring credit back to Middlebury. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Puerto Rico I |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Ramonita Vega-Lugo |
| Instruction Language: | spanish |
| Comments: | The course was challenging to understand, but the subject matter was interesting and it was fairly easy to get an A. The professor was knowledgeable and utilized her local knowledge of Puerto Rico to enrich the material. However, the course was very poorly organized, tests were subjective and did not motivate learning, and lectures were difficult to understand (the prof didn't use a visual, like a slideshow, while speaking, which was particularly difficult in my second language). I did not participate in class much (other than listening and taking notes). I was assessed based on the tests, which were multiple choice and online. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I haven't transferred my credits yet. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Intro to Ceramics |
| Course Department: | Art |
| Instructor: | Claudia Torres-Guillemard |
| Instruction Language: | spanish |
| Comments: | The class challenged me to think creatively and to problem solve. The professor was knowledgeable, well-prepared, skilled and enthusiastic about the subject matter. I thoroughly enjoyed this class and made more friends than in any other class (besides my internship). I was assessed based on short quizzes and on our projects. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I haven't transferred credits yet. |
