Weekdays in the Library, Weekends Exploring Europe Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 06/27/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Getafe

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned how to get along with people and navigate differences, I learned the power of perseverance in very difficult courses and in forging friendships, and I believe for these two reasons the experience was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The administrators were helpful and very friendly!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The living arrangements were good and clean, although a little far away from everything.
* Food:	The food as a whole was very salty and heavy on the carbs, but I enjoyed it.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I felt the program did an average job in preparing us for the local culture, although I can see how that'd be very difficult to do when almost every student is living in a different neighborhood.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I didn't have any health care issues, so I don't feel qualified to answer this.
* Safety:	I felt very safe the whole time I was there.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No I feel like I did not adventure outside of my comfort zone enoguh while in Madrid, and if I could do it over again I would go to the Middlebury program in Argentina to get a better sense of a non-European, Spanish-speaking lifestyle.

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)	I was able to live moderately well on my budget.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I don't feel comfortable answering this question.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Go to multiple grocery stores to compare prices on similar foods so you ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

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	It was pivotal that we spoke Spanish at all times.
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?	A mid-level 300 Spanish course.
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?	Be outgoing and try to meet your neighbors!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* 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 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?	The food/nightlife The teachers El Retiro park
* What could be improved?	More group trip opportunities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I am not much of a city person.

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:	History of Terrorism
Course Department:	I cannot recall
Instructor:	I cannot recall
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Excellent course; difficult and challenging based on the material and, to an extent, the professor's thick accent, but it was a great experience.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	International Trade Works of Art
Course Department:	Art
Instructor:	I cannot recall
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	One of the best courses I've ever taken. The professor was a wonderful teacher and person, the content was fascinating, and it was truly a fantastic experience. i could not recommend this cursillo enough!
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Film Narrative
Course Department:	Film & Media Studies
Instructor:	Sonia Garcia-Lopez
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This was a very challenginng course, as it combined film theory and narrative studies with elements of psychology. I was not expecting that combination, but nonetheless it was a very interesting course and tremendously rewarding to be a part of the heady & compelling discussions held in the course. We were assessed by a group project and a final exam, both of which were fair. I participated in this course daily and enjoyed it.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Sociology of Spain
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:	I cannot recall
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	This course was interesting at times but overall was not very interesting. It was focused largely on what felt like tasks for tasks' sake and not assigned with the objective of focusing on the actual content itself. The professor was great, I wish I could remember his name.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Advanced Spanish Communication I
Course Department:	Sede
Instructor:	Proessor Carmen
Instruction Language:	Spanish
Comments:	Professor Carmen was fantastic, and we reviewed the basics of the Spanish language which was tremendously useful. The exams and projects were fairly assigned and graded, and Carmen was one of the most helpful teachers I've ever had the pleasure to encounter.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No