Madrid: I now have a third home. Past Review
By Sevan G (Architecture, Spanish and Latin American Cultures, Barnard College) for
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
My experience abroad not only exposed me to the political, economic, and social environment of Spain but made me more aware about what is going on in my own country. My experience was definitely culturally relative; we were always comparing America with Spain/Europe, but that did not stop us from becoming accepted as honorary mandrileños. I have now decided to declare Spanish and Latin American Cultures as my second major (I used to just be a minor), and will have one of my final papers written abroad published in a hispanic review journal. Because I have made life-long friendships, I intend to return to Madrid/Spain and live there for at least another year, perhaps as an English teacher.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The day-to-day homework load was not as challenging (you could say the pace was a bit slower) as at Barnard/Columbia, but it throws you off when you suddenly have A LOT to study and write for midterms/finals. Due to this, however, I believe I was able to retain a lot more of what I learned whereas in the States I tend to forget material from semester to semester because of oversaturation of the mind. But what I did appreciate was that even lecture classes included in-class discussion because of the very small class sizes; professors were always open to answer questions, even if they were a bit off-topic. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program size was very small -- 16 students in total in Sede, but we met and interacted with the students at Getafe as well. Some of the administrators were very helpful, particularly Patricia Rodriguez (she arranged a doctor's appointment for me twice, and followed up to see how I was doing). The professors were very attuned to the cultural and educational differences between Spain and the US, and we had a required cultural seminar to contemplate and discuss these differences. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I LOVED my family and was treated as a family member, but the location of the apartment was far from nightlife/el Centro, which was a bit problematic on weekends because the Metro closes at 1:30 AM. But it only took 20-25 minutes to get to Sede Prim. With my monthly pass, though, having to use the Metro several times a day was not an issue (monthly passes cost only 35E and are unlimited -- you save A LOT). I did not have to buy bedding or cookware to settle in and my host grandmother even provided me with towels for bathing. I was given breakfast and lunch OR dinner, and a nice woman came to clean the house twice a week. |
| * Food: |
Food was good, and my host grandmother made sure not to make any dishes with ingredients I did not like (I gave her a list -- she would sometimes forget, though). Places to definitely check out: Lateral, Taberna Alhambra, 100 Montaditos, an argentinian restaurant right in Sol, left of the cristal entrance (sorry, don't remember the name). The best thing to do in madrid, however, is to explore (but NOT in Plaza Mayor -- overpriced and subpar). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
short walking tour of Madrid's center, field trip to Toledo, bienvenido and adios receptions |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There are police officers everywhere and at all hours of the day, on the streets and in the metro stations, but DO NOT FALL ASLEEP ON THE BUS OR METRO, EVER. My wallet was stolen one night when I fell asleep for 10 minutes on the night bus. Pick-pockets are ubiquitous, and you will be targeted if you look at all "American," so keep your hands on your wallet/phone/purse and be vigilant. Try not to speak English in public as much as possible. Do not dress like a tourist. I had to go see a doctor twice, once for a bad cold and another time for tonsillitis. My program arranged the appointment with the doctor according to my schedule and availability, and my international healthcare paid for it (but you have to call and give them at least 24 hours notice or else you will have to pay up front and submit a claim later). There were no prevalent health issues while I was there (I guess now they have E. coli), and I did not need any special vaccines. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go shopping unnecessarily and save your money for travel instead. Hostels and flights within Europe are very affordable. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | SPAN 3350 Hispanic Cultures II |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I met and made friends with many Spanish students with whom I only spoke Spanish. I also lived with a host family and none of its members spoke English. Furthermore, Middlebury College had us sign a contract at the beginning of the program requiring us to speak only Spanish -- a rule required within the walls a Sede Prim and encouraged amongst friends outside of the classroom. The only people who ever communicated in English were the students in the program. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you love to explore on your own, meet unique and interesting new people (both American, Spanish, and other international students), and are looking for a program that is hands-off in regards to your personal experience but still academically exciting and challenging, the programs offered through Middlebury College are right for you. |
