Rigorous and rewarding Past Review
By Sara Gilmore (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/28/2019 to 05/15/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury In Amman
Studying abroad is a worthwhile experience, especially if your aim is to learn a language.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The Middlebury program is easily the most rigorous program in terms of language. You will learn Arabic, period. The language pledge takes adjustment and is not easy. While the administration did its duties in supporting language acquisition, many students, including myself, felt unsupported and detached in other social/cultural spheres. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80 - 100 JD per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The largest expense will probably be taxis - especially if you're taking Ubers. Make sure to allot more than what you think is necessary to transportation costs. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | ARBC 301 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Adhere to the language pledge - it will help you learn faster than anything else. |
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? |
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? | Language acquisition is hard and even a little isolating. Ubers, though more expensive, will make you feel a bit more secure. Having a "cultural experience" is very much related to what you can spend to do so. |
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! |
