Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning to live in a different language! June 29, 2022

By (french, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2022 to 05/13/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I gained independence, incredible language improvement, close local friends, and a perspective of the new culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors at the University were not supportive or communicative!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They are incredible!

* 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?

* Safety:

A bit unsafe for women!

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

I made close friendships, developed fluency in the target language, and learned how to advocate for myself academically.

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? 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shop at less expensive grocery stores like Franprix!

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Madness in Caribbean Literature
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? Make friends who are native speakers!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* 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?
  • The Parisian culture
  • Self-advocacy in academics
  • Strong language skills
* What could be improved?
  • Support from academic professors
  • Better mental health support
  • Proximity to other American students for living situations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I know how difficult it is to transition to a new culture and country but how important it is to be brave and experience a new part of the world.

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:

Advanced French
Course Department: Middlebury School
Instructor: Patrick Guedon
Instruction Language: French
Comments: It was challenging but a good mix of homework, papers, and exams. The teacher was knowledgeable but not always supportive.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Chemistry: From the atom to organic

Course Department: Sciences
Instructor: Dr. Dong
Instruction Language: French
Comments: It was the right amount of challenge and support—the professors were kind and helpful. The material was difficult but we were assessed fairly with quizzes and exams. I participated the same amount as my home institution in the discussion portion.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Infectiology: Microbiology, Virology, Immunology
Course Department: Sciences
Instructor: Many (contact for specific names)
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Thé course was too challenging and offered no support. The material was 80 slides for each subject every week, so we had to memorize specific details from each subject in order to pass the one quiz and final exam. Those two grades were the entire class grade! Caused a lot of stress.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Reading poetry
Course Department: Humanities
Instructor: Professor Anthony Moklokoff and Professor Raphaël Cappellen
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The class was engaging and interesting, professors were supportive and kind, we had to write two papers and they let me do a supplemental to boost my grade.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Paintings by 20C Writers
Course Department: Middlebury School
Instructor: Jonathan Degeneve
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This class was my favorite because the professor was kind and encouraging. The assessments were a good mix of papers and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: