Major learning experience and self exploration November 08, 2022
By A student (Neuroscience, Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/06/2022 to 06/29/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Montevideo
I learned about a new culture and was able to experience a different lifestyle from a different continent and gained a new unique perspective on Latin culture. I would say it was very much worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The intensity and rigor were fair but it was hard to properly prepare for final tests (of which there were very few) and there weren't any smaller assessments that were not tested that would help guide an individual and help create expectations for tests. Aid from teachers was also hard to get. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to urgent care to check if I had covid the wait time was not very long and everyone was very friendly. Coordinators were in contact the entire time and very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
The safety of the city overall was good, I did not have any safety-related issues. My advice would be to follow basic city street safe logic and just be aware of your surroundings and self, especially at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I learned a lot and would have liked to expand my experience more culturally and socially if I went back. |
Finances
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* 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) |
In exclusion of additional activities and basic necessities, about $80 on an average week, some weeks $100 or more because of transportation fees or phone bill fees. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-$50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Meal prep! Also, try to limit the amount you eat out and learn some simple recipes to make at hoomee, nothing too complicated because it takes too much time and money. Take the bus over an Uber or Taxi when you can. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | 400+ |
| 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? | Try to use it as much as you can! Watch medias in your abroad language and listen to popular music from your host place! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew more about the difference in Spanish pronunciation and more context of the culture and food of my host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Etiologia |
| Course Department: | Biology |
| Instructor: | Gabriel Francisco |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | There were only two assignments total in this class and they were both at the end of the semester. Little to no support/ help from teachers when preparing for the test. There were multiple teachers teaching the class and some were hard to get in contact with. I participated less than I would at my home institution. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
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Fisiologia Animal |
| Course Department: | Biology |
| Instructor: | Daniela |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | There was two test total, a midterm and a final. There were multiple teachers who were all very knowledgeable and helpful. The head teacher was very kind and helpful with the learning difference between different languages and helped with finding resources. I did not participate as much as I do at my home institute. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
