a big challenge, but worthwhile in the end Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 05/12/2017 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris
My language speaking and comprehension (oral and written) progressed significantly. I can read academic books/catalogs, listen to entire lectures and understand everything including technical vocabulary. I speak more fluidly and with greater variation in vocabulary and style.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program is very rigorous, with 5 classes taken all in French, and getting used to the French university system is the most challenging part. I wish I could have taken 4 classes instead of 5. I appreciated the opportunity to experience a new educational environment but it was frequently overwhelming and isolating. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Middlebury was attentive and available for academic and personal needs. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed the neighborhood I lived in and the apartment itself, but did not have a great experience in my host family. I felt that it was clearly a transaction between myself and the family and not that I was welcomed like a relative or close friend. |
| * Food: |
Food out in Paris is always great, though expensive. Loved seeking out good bakeries and interesting bars. Did not enjoy the quality of food in my homestay. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Despite always feeling somewhat like an outsider in French culture, with the language immersion, host family, university classes, and confrontation of city life I felt that I lived my day-to-day as a Parisian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Received a recommendation for a doctor from a friend, it was easy to do and worked out well. |
| * Safety: |
I generally felt safe--living in a major city like Paris means taking responsibility for how you behave in public space, including paying attention to potential pickpockets, walking with friends at night if possible, taking a cab if you feel safer. I appreciate that in Paris you can be out in the middle of the night on the metro and feel safe because there are always many other people out too. While terrorist attacks are on the minds of French people and the government, I didn't feel a day-to-day fear as related to this. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would probably choose the same program but I also offer the strong suggestion they find a way for students to take 4 rather than 5 classes. While the workload is different than at an American University, the mental energy for 5 courses completely taught in French (listening, writing, etc) is exhausting. |
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) |
Paris is quite an expensive city (sandwiches are often 5-6 euros, a latte coffee is 4-5 euros, dinner out 14-18 euros) but bread and wine are cheap. If you're not buying luxury items and eating and drinking out all the time you can spend less money but you have to go to Paris knowing it is one of the most expensive places to be in Europe. Cost and standard of living are high. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$150 (not including travel or transit costs) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring lunch with you for before/after class - you can make a cheaper sandwich than you can buy out. |
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? | 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? | French 110 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to speak to people in public settings, the more you're willing to practice, the easier it will become. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 French university: what to expect, the educational pedagogies there, and how to do assignments the French way. Having a person to talk to about this, such as a current student, could have been good. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
