Adventurous. Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 06/01/2016 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
I learned so much about the Spanish culture, improved my Spanish and now I can officially say that I speak three languages. It just feel so great walking down the small narrow street in Madrid and enjoy the city life!
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. |
Classes were challenging, especially taking all of them in Spanish, but I learned so much Spanish! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Super lovely staff that took care of us all the time! Office is always open late! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For student that didn't want to live in a host family, we had to look for apartment ourselves which can take a long time and it is tiring. Although we had some staff helping us, I think it should mentioned previously that we need to find our own apartment and how hard the process is. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Loved the Spanish culture! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Madrid is super safe to walk around at night since there are so many people, but please be careful with your belonging because there are a lot of pickpockets. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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 didn't travel that much in Europe, so saved a lot of money |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I think about 100? |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you buy electronic product in the states. |
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 spoke Spanish all the time because we signed a language pledge. |
| 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? | Spanish 241 |
| 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? | Speak it! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Files and Database |
| Course Department: | Computer Science |
| Instructor: | Lola Cuandres |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | It was challenging, but if you go to office hour and ask question, everything will be so easy! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Discrete math |
| Course Department: | Math |
| Instructor: | Jesus Salas |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Make sure you study throughout the semester, otherwise it won't work! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Spanish class |
| Course Department: | With Middlebury |
| Instructor: | Carmen |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | Carmen was super funny and her class was challenging but fun |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
