Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One of the greatest adventures of my life! January 14, 2021

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2021 to 01/24/2020 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What I got out of this program cannot be simply expressed in words. Studying and living in Paris was great!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site administration was kind, supportive and engaging in our goals for our time abroad.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Living with a host family was the best decision I could've made to really integrate myself in the French culture and language.

* Food:

Bakeries in France are the best.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I believe that students of color should prepare themselves to experience instances of racism and discrimination.

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

This program was incredible!

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)

Paris is one of the most expensive cities in Europe making it difficult at times to maintain a balanced budget. However, with some planning and compromises it is possible to live comfortably and even be able to travel.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I suggest you search for Crous restaurants that serve full meals for students at a reduced cost.

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

The language pledge added a significant incentive to utilize the language as much as possible.

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? A lower intermediate course
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? Make an effort to strike up conversations with everyday people and keep a list on your phone of expressions or words you hear throughout your time abroad.

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Visiting historical sites
  • Practicing the French language
  • The new experiences of daily life
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have liked to know more about the discrimination and racism experienced by people of color in France.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

France Africa
Course Department: History
Instructor: Boniface Mongo-Mboussa
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Professor Boniface was an energetic and knowledgeable teacher that made the course engaging for all students.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

À la tête de l'Etat
Course Department: History
Instructor: Nicolas Roussellier
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was challenging but the course material was very interesting.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Europe of the 1800s
Course Department: History
Instructor: Anaïs Albert
Instruction Language: History
Comments: This course, offered in the University of Paris, is challenging but the professor does a great job at explaining concepts clearly.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Les Renaissances

Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course taken at the University of Paris was very interesting; however, the material was hard to follow at times due to the teacher's use of slides.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate French
Course Department: French
Instructor: Patrick Guedon
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The teacher did a great job at explaining difficult grammar concepts and the small class size allowed for more personal guidance on the teacher's part.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.