Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I learned a lot, and am prepared to go to grad school in biology February 06, 2023

By (Biology, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2022 to 12/19/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a great background in biology/environmental science. I learned a lot about local Cape Cod ecosystems. It was challenging but absolutely 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great

* Food:

The food was good. Everyone working in Swope dining hall was really great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Woods Hole is a very safe town

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

The program has prepared me for the future and helped me think about what I want to

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)

Very low expenses

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $20

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Working closely with scientists
  • Meet other students also interested in science
  • Spent a lot of time in the field and in labq
* What could be improved?
  • The program was stressful at times, and it would be possible to make it a little less stressful
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing - the whole program was a learning experience, and I wouldn't change it.

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:

Aquatic/Terrestrial Ecosystem Courses
Course Department:
Instructor: Several
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was challenging, but I learned a lot and feel prepared to enter grad school in biology/ecology. All lecturers were well prepared and we had lectures from several faculty at the Marine Biological Laboratory. We were assessed with a midterm and a final and also weekly lab reports. My experience in intro classes at Midd prepared me well to take these classes.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Mathematical Modeling
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was informative, and I learned a lot about how to model ecosystems. The software we used was somewhat challenging, but our professors (Ed and Bonnie) were great. We were assessed with a couple quizzes and a final project and paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Science Journalism
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I really enjoyed the course, and the instructor was really great. While it was challenging to fit in interviewing people for journalism class with all our other course work, the end results were really rewarding. We were assessed with three papers in which we interviewed scientists and wrote about their work.
Credit Transfer Issues: No