Middlebury Helped Me Find Myself Again July 28, 2025
By A student (Chinese, Wofford College) - abroad from 02/12/2025 to 05/30/2025 with
Middlebury Language Schools: Chinese Language School
Other than my language skills, during my time abroad I gained a sense of independence, confidence, team-work, and flexibility. It was so worthwhile for me. I had almost given up on my language major and was becoming disillusioned by college in general, but being abroad helped me see the world in a new way.
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. |
Very rigorous, but had amazing resources. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * 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? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was so supportive to all of its students. They all helped us both get out and explore Taiwan, while also helping us get an amazing education. |
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) |
Fairly easy, but had to pay our own way for mandatory field trips which was not great. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50-60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not eat out at big chain restaurants for every meal. |
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 |
There was a language pledge where we had to speak only the target language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 401 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 wish I had known some more of the intricate details of the semester, such as a host family weekend, my class schedule, and the Easter program. |
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! |
