Très magnifique! August 19, 2025
By A student (Global Studies, Washington University in St. Louis) - abroad from 01/04/2025 to 05/02/2025 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris
I believe my French skills and confidence with the language improved a lot over the semester. Totally worthshile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Middlebury courses were good but I did not enjoy any of the classes Sorbonne Nouvelle |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Select administration was friendly and helpful while others were dismissive and unhelpful with helping complete my necessary major requirements abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I cooked many of my meals myself and also enjoyed the food prepared by my host family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved being in Paris! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got the care I needed in Paris but the health insurance that was mandatory, Geoblue, has still not reimbursed me for any of my medical expenses. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Study abroad was a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in my favorite city. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I found most things were expensive in Paris |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | book international flights well in advance and take advantage of the free museums and the student rush tickets for concerts |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
It was mandatory to speak French. No English allowed! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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 400 level course at WashU |
| 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? | interact with locals as much as possible |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It seemed unfair that Middlebury Students got reimbursed for extra curricular experiences whereas WashU students were not given this option |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
