Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Awesome program, real-life research and meet professional scientists! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2018 to 12/13/2018 with

Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL): Woods Hole - Semester in Environmental Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned about general and biological oceanography, specifically coral reef fishes and their larval distribution. It was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Different than a typical semester because the majority of credit hours were dedicated to lab work not classtime.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very useful in housing and classes. Only three students were in the program, so we received a lot of individual attention. I'm sure we would have even if the program was larger. Kama Thieler was exceptional.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Switched housing mid-year. Would have liked to start the semester at Oyster Pond instead of Caryn House. However, the quality of homes on Oyster Pond was better than most college dorms.

* Food:

No cafeteria, responsible for your own food. Kitchen was provided.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Woods Hole is a small town when it's not summer, so not many activities to do. However, always felt welcomed and safe.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't have to get healthcare through the program. However, were very accommodating of ADA requirements.

* Safety:

Very safe area.

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

Really enjoyed working in the lab I was assigned to, felt I learned a lot about fishery science but also about research in general.

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)

Tuition was cheaper than home university. WHOI did not give a food stipend, but didn't need to as they didn't charge for food. Gave a good idea of how much money would be needed monthly coming in.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to grocery store and make your own lunch! If you want to eat out for lunch instead, go to Coffee Obsession - they have really good but also cheap (for Woods Hole) sandwiches.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Research and my lab members and mentor
  • Trip to US Virgin Islands
  • Coral reef class
* What could be improved?
  • Elements of Modern Oceanography class
  • Weekend activities for students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That Middlebury would deny my thesis - not WHOI's fault.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Elements of Oceanography
Course Department: General Oceanography
Instructor: Sam Laney & Anthony Kirinich
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was challenging but this was because the homework's did not reflect very well the lecturing. The course itself was supposed to focus on all aspects of oceanography, but really only taught physical oceanography and phytoplanktonic processes. The exam was generally manageable, but not nearly enough time was given. Grading was unpredictable.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Biology & Ecology of Coral Reefs
Course Department: Biological Oceanography
Instructor: Ann Tarrant, Jesús Pineda, & Simon Thorrold
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Challenging, but only because it was a graduate school level and we reviewed current literature in coral reefs and associated biota. Being lectured from prominent researchers was mind-blowing. Got to see data that wasn't even published yet. Workload was not overwhelming.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.
Course Name/Rating:

Seminar in Ocean Sciences
Course Department: General Oceanography
Instructor: Nicole Millette
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Only for undergraduates. A good complementary class to the program as a whole. Reviewed foundational literature in all sub-disciplines of oceanography. Coursework was geared towards our research projects and thus very relevant and useful.
Credit Transfer Issues: None.