Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun, rigorous way to improve your French Past Review

By (Pomona College) - abroad from 08/29/2018 to 12/20/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My French got a lot better and I think I learned a lot about the local culture from living with a host family. That said, my social life really suffered and I felt pretty alone a lot of the time.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

I had no experiences with it

* Safety:

aside from normal city things (like being careful at night), I felt completely safe

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

This was tough in that there wasn't much time for exploration or relaxation, but I think I'd still do this program because it really challenged me to improve

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? 100

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? upper-level French courses (106 and 127)
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? watch French films or listen to podcasts about subjects that interest you!

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
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The intensity/immersiveness
  • My internship
  • Cool classes at the local fac
* What could be improved?
  • Ways to improve ties between the people in the program
  • administration- I showed up (at the program's request) 10 days before I needed to be there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I knew how expensive the host family placement was (it cost a lot more than staying in a student housing building)

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!