Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Had I known it would wreck my GPA I would not have done it Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/28/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved my host family, I loved the city, I hated how it will make it difficult to apply to grad school by wrecking my GPA.

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

There were only 20 year olds to guide us in Bordeaux, I felt like the admin were not helpful when they stopped by and mostly just fear-inducing

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved the Habrie family

* 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

IT destroyed my GPA and there was no communication on how I could bring it back up or have done better. I will not suggest that other students do this program, it was not worth it, even after I worked tirelessly.

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)

It was doable

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about $250 on food a month, and traveled a decent amount
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? eat at home!

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 400
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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
  • International 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
  • City
  • Travel
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
  • Class choice
  • Grade transfers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it was going to be nearly impossible to match my performance in the US. I wish I had never come.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Oral French: Advanced High
Course Department: French
Instructor: Mme Bizias
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Yes it was very hard. The teacher was knowledgable.
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

Political Science Seminar
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Ferry
Instruction Language: French
Comments: It was not too challenging and was a lot of fun
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

Political Culture Seminar
Course Department: Poli Sci
Instructor: Champeaud
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Very hard, good professor
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Urban Challenges
Course Department: NA
Instructor: Pimpant
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Very Hard, knowledgable teacher, I was unable to participate, the exam was graded extremely hard and I was disappointed with my grade
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

History of Cultural Policies
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: french
Comments: This class was nearly impossible
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

French Political Institutions
Course Department: French
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This class was impossible to follow and meandering
Credit Transfer Issues: none
Course Name/Rating:

State and Government in Africa
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I truly have no idea how I could've done better in this course
Credit Transfer Issues: