Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Sometimes I forgot that I'm actually an English speaker. January 30, 2023

By (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2022 to 12/16/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It made me realise that I'd like to live in a city in France at some point in my life and continue speaking French academically, professionally, and socially.

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.

The work was challenging because the host institution (SciencesPo Bordeaux) has a relatively high demanding course load. I was greatful for all I learned, though.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very attentive and well organised.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family was great. They included me in everything they did as a 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?

My program helped me a lot when I made an ER visit within my first three weeks in France. They helped me submit an insurance claim and checked in on me regularly. I also had to get vaccinated against typhoid and Yellow Fever while in France to prepare for a trip after the program. It was a little tricky but I managed to get vaccinated through the local health care system.

* Safety:

I had no safety problems while in Bordeaux. Typical city living practices are important (don't walk around with your bag open on the tram, don't walk with headphones in late at night) as is being aware of what's going on around you. But Bordeaux is a fairly lively city and I never felt unsafe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was a perfect match for me academically (a well appreciated challenge centered on political science), my host family was incredible, and I made huge progress in my language acquisition.

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? 20USD because I ate breakfast and dinner with my host family about 6 days a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at home with your host family! You'll save money, learn the language and culture, and get to know the people you live with. I advise everyone to choose the highest number of meals with your host family on the application.

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

We signed a Language Pledge.

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? Advanced immersion program
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? Make local friends, talk with your host family, watch TV and read (!!) in 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?
  • People
  • host family
  • language pledge
* What could be improved?
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd spent a little more time in Bordeaux and a little less time traveling.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

History and Geopolitics of Latin America
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: M. Trouvé
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I have already reviewed this course in another form. The course was difficult but not overly challenging, the professor was skilled, I participated as much as I would here in the US, and we were assessed with one final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am waiting on this process because it cannot be finalised until I receive my final grades from Science Po. It was sometimes difficult to exchange emails with the PS department chair here at Middlebury regarding the viability of courses as PS credits.
Course Name/Rating:

Electoral Sociology
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: .
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I have already reviewed this course in another form. The course was technical but relied heavily on US-based context so was easier in that aspect. We were assessed with a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Social Science Methodology
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: .
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I have already reviewed this course in another form. This course was very challenging and I do not feel like I learned a great deal. The professor was sick and so class was cancelled more often than not.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

General Culture
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Yves
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I have already reviewed this course in another form. This course was challenging because it was discussion based and assesed almost exclusively through assignments that you could not prepare for in advance. Given the French of it all this was a challenge. But the professor was great- interesting, kind, invested, stimulating.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Institutions of the V Republic
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: .
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I have already reviewed this course in another form. This course was honestly very boring because it was a technical review of the French constitution. I would only recommend it to students interested in law.
Credit Transfer Issues: no