Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A wonderful semester. Past Review

By (Swarthmore College) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile. I loved going back to Spain, and seeing its metropolitan capital.

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.

The classes were not the most difficult, but most were interesting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone working for the program was welcoming and helpful.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a wonderful family.

* Food:

Spanish food is great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I'd lived in Spain prior to this, so I may have felt more comfortable than some.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The one interaction I had was positive.

* Safety:

Safe country.

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

I loved my family, and the city.

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)

It was very easy, as long as you're conscientious.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $50.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend money on stupid stuff that you don't really need or want.

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 to.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I'd taken several classes, all in Spanish. They went past grammar.
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.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 people
  • The city
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • Not much to be honest.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I feel like what I expected what more or less what I got.

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.