Stressful, Strikes, and Super cool host family August 01, 2023
By A student (Communications and Media, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 01/09/2023 to 05/25/2023 with
Middlebury Language Schools: French Language School
improved my french, connected with an amazing family. better than being in the usa so i cant compain
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics were rigorous. Although Middlebury provided resources, it would have been nice to have more time to enjoy the city |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
organized |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
had an amazing host family |
| * Food: |
food was amazing, gained like 12 pounds |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since French people didn't really want to be friends with me, it was hard to make connections |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
GeoBlue made it easy to find a doctor, and I was reimbursed promptly |
| * Safety: |
paris felt so safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
the program made me kind of miserable, but i loved my host family |
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) |
if you're smart with your money, it will be easy. if you blow it all, you will be broke |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I don't know |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | make a budget, don't overbuy groceries, stay in cheap hostels if you travel, take public transportation to the airport instead of ubers (except keep in mind strikes will cause this to take longer) |
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? | 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? | high level french |
| 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? | no |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | academic rigor was not communicated |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
