Cultural Immersion in Bordeaux July 28, 2025

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/25/2024 to 12/13/2024 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot about how to express myself in a foreign language, and in turn, find an identity for myself in another language. I also gained a lot of exposure related to the French education system, which allowed me to diversity my experience. I found the experience very worthwhile and would recommend it to others.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

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?	Yes

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)

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?	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?	233
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 Cultural Activities Opportunity to Travel
* What could be improved?	Administrative Support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That travel from Bordeaux to other countries is a bit trickier schedule-wise than other programs

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Sociologie politique
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	The course was based on one final exam. The professor was a leading expert in political sociology which made the course easy to follow.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No