Incredible Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 05/15/2018 with
Spain Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
My experience was incredibly worthwhile. I gained cultural knowledge, strengthened my Spanish skills, and made friends with locals.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Madrid team is amazing. They are so helpful and supportive. They have really created a community feel in the Sede Prim. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was in a shared apartment, and while it was great for my language skills as we spoke only in Spanish, it was difficult due to issues with a few roommates. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was in Spain for the year, and I am diabetic, so I went to the doctor several times for regular check ups. The practice they recommended was great. The staff was very helpful in getting appointments, or giving recommendations on healthcare providers or pharmacies in the area. The local care was on par with the care at home. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was exactly what I needed in order to improve my language skills. The year abroad in Spain dramatically increased my knowledge of Spanish. |
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) |
I could have been more frugal if I had chosen to do so, but I found the cost of living in Madrid fairly cheap in comparison with US cities. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Master's level writing 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? | I found that the best way to practice was to meet locals. Sign up for a language exchange partner! |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I felt unprepared when I left, but I soon realized that the staff in Madrid would give us all the tools we needed to find housing, etc. It might have been helpful to have a bit more of an idea of what to expect beforehand. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
