Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Near total immersion in Spanish culture, helped my Spanish become near-perfect. Past Review

By (Cornell University) - abroad from 02/04/2017 to 06/11/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Spanish skills and cultural perspectives.

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.

Classes are very very long.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

None. Only "ayudantes," students in Córdoba hired to help us adjust. I wish they had more people on-site.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very happy. Lived with Spaniards and made my experience unforgettable. Got a good idea of what life is like for a college student in Spain and I learned a lot more that wouldn't be taught in a classroom, like slang and social culture. It also improved my Spanish tenfold.

* Food:

Food is great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Very integrated. Direct enrollment and living with Spaniards made my experience very immersed.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Pretty well. Had to go to the clinic once.

* Safety:

Pretty safe community.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I was not as advanced and had not taken as many Spanish classes as others had in my program. I really had to push myself and work hard on my Spanish, but it has become immensely better and the experience was incredibly.

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? About 30.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Grocery stores are very cheap. The tourist locations have American level prices, but the places where the locals go charge very very little. La Judería is very touristy and will be 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

Students sign an agreement to only speak Spanish. It is rarely broken and improves your language skills immensely.

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? Perspectives on Spain in Spanish
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? Watching Spanish shows and reading articles in Spanish helps.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Language component.
  • Housing rule to only live with Spaniards.
  • Direct enrollment.
* What could be improved?
  • On-site administration.
  • Overall programming, especially from mid-semester to the end.
  • Program dates can be inconvenient for students seeking internships. Lost some opportunities to participate in this program. Though I don't regret the sacrifices I made.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That most students enrolling in the program are Spanish majors. That the experience would be difficult but worth it. Even as an intermediate speaker I found a way to make it work and grow and still have an amazing experience.

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.'