Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A disappointing experience Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/02/2019 to 06/19/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Belo Horizonte

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned Portuguese.

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I thought that Middlebury’s assistance and involvement in my time abroad was really disappointing. I could have had a same or even better experience without Middlebury’s help and would have saved a lot of money. Where did my tuition go 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure to bring an atm card that works with Brazilian banks

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? A number of 300s level courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • The trip to Salvador to see other Middkids
* What could be improved?
  • The local director needs to be less pressuring and more supportive
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much I was going to miss Middlebury.

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:

Brazilian Politics
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Malco Camargas
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Capoeira
Course Department: Interdisciplinary
Instructor: Bocão
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Colonial Brazil
Course Department: History
Instructor: Silvia Rachi
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: