Independent, hard work, navigating freedom Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/21/2019 to 05/17/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The biggest thing I gained was from my internship abroad. I loved working with kids and I learned so much about the french educational system.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt supported by the head administrator of Middlebury in France. However, I felt a bit isolated in terms of having someone to contact about activities at my university as there was no one on site who had any experience at University Bordeaux Montaigne.

* 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 wish I had been in Paris where there was more of a Middlebury community to support me. That being said, I loved this program for what it was.

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? 50 dollars

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
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Senior Seminar
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Host family food
  • Classes at the local university
  • Playing with host brothers
* What could be improved?
  • sense of community
  • support at the beginning of the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how much independence and navigating I would have to do on my own. There are not very many things that are set up for us to do so you really have to go out on your own and make the most of your time for yourself.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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:

Poesie noire

Course Department: Literature
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: I loved this course because it was comparative in nature and so I could directly compare french and english black poetry but in a french context.
Credit Transfer Issues: no