Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best semester ever September 15, 2023

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/22/2022 to 12/16/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a new language and made another family. It was very worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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

I loved my family so much and miss them, so I would do it again to be with them.

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? Not much on food, mostly just on traveling.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't travel on the weekends if you want to save money.

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? 300 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? Listen to podcasts with native speakers speaking and if you can, in the accent of the place you are going to.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • My host family
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Spaces to study and do work
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I did not need to be nervous

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 Blazer
Craving 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:

Sociocultural Change in Spain
Course Department:
Instructor: Aida Bueno
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Overall was great, exam was difficult but she was a fair grader and very kind
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Syntax
Course Department:
Instructor: Beatriz Del Valle
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Too difficult and she did not have the best attitude towards helping students.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

European Union: Comparartive political development
Course Department:
Instructor: Francisco Seijo
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Lots of lecture but I enjoyed the presentations and he was a fair grader.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Spanish Literature and Culture
Course Department:
Instructor: Paco Layna
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Best professor I maybe have ever had. He was so engaging and so passionate about his subject. I loved this class.
Credit Transfer Issues: