A difficult but rewarding semester abroad Past Review
By A student (Cornell University) - abroad from 08/28/2018 to 12/21/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers
I improved my French language skills. I learned a lot about myself and about French culture. Overall, I suppose it was worthwhile for the improved French language skills, however I was so stressed the entire time that my mental health suffered significantly.
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. |
The UFR Sciences Humaines et Arts and the UFR Lettres et Langues of Poitiers was very disorganized this semester. I found it very difficult to find classes that fit my needs and interests. I arrived to at least 2 courses that were listed as one subject, however turned out to be about a different subject (ex. One course was listed as France in the 19th century, however the professor taught about 20th century Middle east). On a positive note, Middlebury provided tutors which made the program more doable. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The office of international relations was helpful. The Middlebury director was very kind and helpful, but his ability to help us was very limited. There are no Middlebury personnel in Poitiers, so no one knew the city very well nor the professors. We were very much left to our own devices. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was in classes with French students and I spent a lot of time in local spaces. I struggled to make French friends, so I didn't feel very integrated socially. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Geoblue made addressing health concerns very easy and fast. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The university in Poitiers was so disorganized that I struggled most of the semester with my classes. I should have applied to a program with more support from an American program and I should have stayed in a host family (all the students went home on the weekend so it was empty). |
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? | 70 euros (rent was 400 euro a month) |
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 |
We spoke in French 100% of the time. |
| 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. 3400 |
| 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? | Find a linguistic exchange buddy. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that the dorm would be empty on the weekends because all the students go home. I wish I knew that local students take as many as 12 classes in a semester. |
