Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Yay Paris February 01, 2023

By (French, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2022 to 12/16/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of independence and cultural experiences (museums, theater, etc). I think it was worthwhile for that.

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.

The language class was a joke

* 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?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would have liked a program like the Vassar-Wesleyan program that put much more of an emphasis on exploring Paris and France than rigorous academics and the Language Pledge.

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? Probably around $100-$150

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? FREN0232
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? Participate in your classes even if it's scary

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Admin was super helpful when needed
  • I loved my thematic class
  • I made friend within the program (but not local friends)
* What could be improved?
  • More grade inflation
  • More fun programming/trips
  • More emphasis on making friends within the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that flying alone is not too scary and that I had gone to visit my friend in Madrid.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Spectacle de Paris
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was not challenging except for the readings at the beginning. We went on a field trip to the Musée Méliès hat was fun because there was a lot of things to see.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate French
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: