Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Whirlwind of Russian Culture Past Review

By (Oberlin College) - abroad from 09/01/2017 to 12/16/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Moscow

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot, have a much better grasp on Russian society, and greatly improved my Russian language. It was very worthwhile, and I have gained a lifelong love of Russia and Russian language.

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.

Some classes were rigorous, those I took with the graduate students, the others were not.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of the School in Russia staff is excellent

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family had very different values, and I tended to feel like I was there mainly because they needed money, and not because of any interest in building a relationship. My stay with my host family in Moscow was comfortable and neutral, but I cannot say that I gained a great deal of happiness from it.

* Food:

I'm not a great fan of Russian food, but I always enjoyed going out to eat when it was orchestrated by the Middlebury program.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety concerns are similar to that in other major cities.

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

I think that Middlebury is very serious about language learning at the School in Russia, and that was the most important aspect to me.

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)

I think I spent less than $100 a week, not including the cost of living! If you include the cost of living and how much a student has to pay for rent, it is not easy or impossible to live on a student's budget - ($900 per month for rent) - I think it would be accessible to more students if Middlebury was able to pay part of the costs for housing.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I probably spent between $30-$50, but I attribute that mostly to the exchange rate between the ruble and the dollar while I was there. The ruble's value is now rising.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You can find reasonably priced entertainment in Moscow if you seek it out and use your student ID.

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? I am not sure - 2 and a half years at Oberlin and 1 semester on the Middlebury program in Irkutsk
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? Have fun with it

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Language
  • Coordinators
  • Immersion/traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Cost of housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Four months is not very long

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.'