Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenge and Growth October 16, 2023

By (Global Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/03/2023 to 05/31/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and how I address challenges. I think it was a worthwhile experience in terms of seeing more of the world but also learning more about myself.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

* Safety:

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

I would choose the same program but, I would take more advantage of my time abroad.

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? $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? FREN 232
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? Befriend your classmates that are local to the place in which you are studying. And don't be shy to ask them to hang out, it took me way too long to realize that they were actually interested in being my friends.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • My housing
  • The ease of travel
  • The patisseries
* What could be improved?
  • Mental/emotional support systems
  • Clarity on how much it actually costs living abroad
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That people were interested in getting to know me, I just had to reach out.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Français Intermediare
Course Department: French
Instructor: Patrick Guédon
Instruction Language: French
Comments: I think the course was challenging but easy to follow. We went over French grammar and really worked on improving all aspects of our French abilities.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Cultures Imaginaires
Course Department: History
Instructor: DeMartini et Salomé
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was really interesting, we learned about the history of crime and justice in France. But, I found following the class in French to be a great challenge. I attended many tutoring sessions to prepare for my assignments in this course. We had three assignments: a written mid-term (I got accomodations for my language ability to take it from home and had a week to do it rather than one day), an exposé (30-minute oral presentation), and a final oral exam.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Histoire des idées politiques
Course Department: political science
Instructor: Paul Zawadzki
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was a three hour lecture once a week. I found it challenging to follow along in French. Other students offered me their notes which was very helpful. The only measure of evaluation for this course was one final exam at the end of the semester. Although I found this concept of only one exam as an assessment of my knowledge to be very stressful, I found that the exam itself was not too complicated to study for. He very clearly outlined 4 specific people/texts we needed to know for the exam, so it was very easy to concentrate my studying.
Credit Transfer Issues: