A wonderful immersive program for language and culture Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/31/2018 to 06/15/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Cordoba, Spain

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of spanish skills and cultural competency skills as well as life long friends from Spain, the US, and other countries.

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.

I would say that it was academically rigourous in a new and different way. More about understanding and learning how to get help rather than produce my own ideas. The courses were not as interesting as at Middlebury but I learned new things and was engaged mostly speaking. Generally I found professors accommodating and helpful. And when they were not I could usually manage well enough

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We did not always receive the clearest communication about what support was available and how best to receive that support (such as editing papers, help dealing with landlords). It often turned out there were more resources available that were not explained to us. Also in personal conversations I sometimes found staff members to not be very receptive to my opinions on the program or impressions about cultural differences. When I would make a comment about something I noticed I felt like they often contradicted me or argued with me instead of just listening. I feel like maybe they were trying to teach but it came off as minimizing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I rented my apartment before I arrived through a connection Middlebury sent me. It was a decent price and super nice location. My roommates weren’t as social as I’d have liked so I didn’t practice too much language development at home but everyone was clean and respectful.

* Food:

I loved local food and I loved cooking for myself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did everything I could to integrate myself and I generally found my efforts paid off, although it was difficult.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was all pretty easy to deal with. I had to get a blood test and it all went well

* Safety:

Was never nervous about walking around in any part of the city at day or nigh, with a group or alone. But I also lived in a central area so that probabaly helped.

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

Córdoba is a great place to live if you want a language and culture immersion. Few locals speak English and I found people to be very nice. There were also good ERASMUS events if people are interested.

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)

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

We had a language pledge and I was lucky to be in a semester with people who actually followed it and so we spoke Spanish the whole time.

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? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Only speak the language from day one, no matter what, and that will set good habits for the rest of the program

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • The direct enrollment
  • The language immersion
  • The freedom
* What could be improved?
  • The communication with the Spain office of our program
  • Support with school work
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To take advantage of the city in the first half of the semester before you have too much school work.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

El legado artístico de al Andalus

Course Department: Historia del arte
Instructor: Alícia carillo calderero
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Super interesting and it was really the profesor who made it the best class I took. Very dynamic and helpful and assigned interesting work
Credit Transfer Issues: No problems