Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best semester ever! Past Review

By (Tulane University) - abroad from 07/19/2018 to 12/10/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad - Middlebury in Florianópolis

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an international perspective, a lot of friends, and a proficiency in Portuguese!! SO worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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

Middlebury was a very hands-off program, which I loved. I felt very independent but always felt like my coordinators would help me with anything if I needed it (which I did, a lot!)

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? R$200-R$300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Actually create a budget for yourself if you can (research costs before)

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? Beginner
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? A 3000 level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Make lots of local friends and talk to them!

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the weather
  • the people
  • the food
* What could be improved?
  • less clouds!
  • less liberal arts-focused events
  • maybe more lunch/dinners with Silvia and Bruna, I loved those!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have studied more Portuguese words specific to my classes! Those were hard at the beginning.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.