Fever Dream September 14, 2023
By A student (Spanish Language, Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/10/2022 to 06/01/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
It was very worthwhile. I loved the experience of living and studying abroad and I am enthusiastic about future travel
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. |
I had a very good educational experience while abroad. I found the classes to be engaging and challenging and they each enriched my experience in meaningful ways. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought in general the administration was good, but there were some issues and inconsistencies when it came to covid protocol. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Extremely satisfied, my host family ended up being the most memorable and meaningful part of my study abroad experience. |
| * Food: |
Food was delicious everywhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I struggled to make friends with locals even though I didn't feel like there was a language barrier. But I did make friends with my host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any issues but I felt prepared for if I did. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe overall. I am from the south side of Chicago and felt safer in Madrid than I normally do at home. Pickpockets attempted to take my belongings twice but were unsuccessful both times and I never felt like I was in danger. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a great time! |
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) |
Things seem less expensive, but those expenses add up! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 150 euros a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The less going out you do the less you'll spend! |
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 |
We were under a language pledge, so I felt very encouraged to use the language. |
| 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? | 400 level |
| 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!!!! |
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 felt sufficiently prepared for the program |
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: |
Nación y narración |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Patricia Rodríguez |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Not too challenging but still very engaging. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Superior Syntax |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Beatriz Del Valle |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This course was tough! But I learned a bunch |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Urban Anthropology |
| Course Department: | Spanish |
| Instructor: | Aida Bueno |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | I loved this class! It was such a pleasure and I learned a lot not only about Madrid but also about cities around the world! And about human behavior! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
