Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Loved the experience! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/06/2019 to 05/28/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Getafe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. I improved my Spanish significantly, learned a lot about a new culture, and navigated living in a big city for the first time (in a different language)

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?

This was the one part of the program I was most frustrated with. If you didn't do a homestay, you showed up to Spain without housing. I understand the intention of getting out of your comfort zone from the start and finding housing. However, we sat in the computer lab for about a week looking for housing on the same two websites. We all got to a point where we were simply refreshing the page hoping for a new apartment to come on the website every couple hours as we'd literally looked at every possible apartment. It was difficult enough to find housing in an area you liked given your restrictions (i.e. gender, smoke-free, only Spanish speakers). The helpers made it near impossible with their added restrictions (needed a room with a window, need a [big enough] common area, can't live with too many people, etc.). When we found housing we liked, it was almost as if the helpers wanted us to experience some struggle, urging us not to pick the first thing we liked.

* 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

There were some difficulties, but that should be expected when living in a foreign country. Overall, I learned a ton, loved the culture and the country.

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 $80/week. It would increase significantly based on travel, but that's a personal decision.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find a few go-to spots where you can reliably get a cheap meal if you don't have time to cook. There are generally cheaper places the further outside the city center you go.

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? 350
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? N/A

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The country / people
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You're going to miss it when you leave.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Economic History
Course Department: Economics
Instructor: Juan Carmona
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: One of the most challenging courses, but also the most worthwhile. I learned a great deal, and the professor truly cared about the course and helped us with any issues we needed.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary History
Course Department: History
Instructor: Branchiforte
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Very difficult class. The instruction from the professors wasn't very clear. Didn't learn as much as I hoped to.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Art Market
Course Department: Art History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Great class. Best professor I had. Very accommodating and helpful with any challenges. Learned a great deal about an area I knew very little about.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Digitial Art Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Learned a lot in a very interesting field. Not the most difficult class. Professor was generally helpful and receptive if you spoke with him after class.
Credit Transfer Issues: