Study Abroad Programs in Cordoba, Spain

My study abroad in Cordoba helped me grow, pushed my boundaries, and highlighted the parts of my life that I deeply value. I was able to view the world through different perspectives and challenge my ideas of what normal was. Finding new ways in which I fit into communities that looked different from the ones I grew up around helped me find different parts of myself. The global variety of people I was able to meet, talk with, and form deep relationships with, helped me understand myself in brand new ways. Additionally, Spain has so many different places with their own distinct cultures, histories, and communities. Being able to explore the different parts of Spain enriched my study abroad beyond my experiences in Cordoba. Studying abroad completely transformed how I will approach new people and situations in the future and fueled my desire to learn more about the cultures, languages, and people that form the world.

I lived with a host family during my time in Madrid with Middlebury College. It was amazing and I loved my host family. They cooked the best meals and cared a lot about me. I still am in contact with them. :) As much as it was challenging, the grammar class helped me perfect my Spanish whereas, in the other classes, I was using my Spanish and learning about a variety of subjects. These courses were very interesting and gave us the chance to immerse ourselves more in Spanish Culture with classes on the anthropology of Spain, literature and art of Spain, Arte del Museo del Prado, and more. Most importantly, I improved my Spanish so much and feel so comfortable in it. I loved this program and would have stayed for a second semester if I could!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Madrid, and also liked the experience of the Middlebury program. Those in charge of the Middlebury program were some of the most welcoming and kind people I have ever met. I do believe the program was very rigorous and demanding in terms of schoolwork, requirements, and grading. Their cultural engagement opportunities were amazing, and my time in Madrid was made better due to the Middlebury program

I think that Córdoba is probably Middlebury College's most underrated study abroad program in Spain. Generally only a few students in the program decide to study in Córdoba, but I think that this program provides one of the most language immersive and culturally rich study abroad experiences. The Universidad de Córdoba offers a wide variety of classes, including some specifically about the city and its landmarks. These courses allowed me not only to fine tune my language schools but also to learn about the city I was living in. All of my classmates and roommates were warm and inclusive. Although Córdoba is a relatively small city there are lots of places to explore. I found some of my favorite bars, restaurants and cafes when I got lost wandering through the winding streets of the city. I would most definitely suggest Córdoba to anyone who wants to study abroad in a true Spanish city.

I came to Spain principally because I wanted to become fluent in Spanish. And, to a certain degree, I did achieve that goal (as in I can now understand most of what the Spanish-speakers in the US are saying on the street and can communicate with them at a reasonable pace though I'm obviously still somewhat slow). You can't help but become immersed in the language because Córdoba is not that big a city, and it's also gorgeous and full of fantastic art and history. I do wish the program administration had an active base within the city, because they were all located in Madrid so it kind of felt like we were on our own after orientation (though the directors did visit us from time to time to catch up). We also had to find our own housing once we got there (though with the aid of a native Cordovan contracted by Middlebury) and I ended up with an awful living situation because the landlord wasn't completely honest when I signed the lease. But it is a great real-world experience, and if you're passionate about art history (especially Islamic art and architecture), definitely worth considering.

The Middlebury School in Madrid was an awesome experience. The school was very well run and professors were great. Middlebury worked hard to make the transition from a US classroom to a Spanish one very easy and I had a great time.