Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful July 18, 2023

By (Physics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/30/2023 to 12/15/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved greatly in my French. I got to visit another part of the world. I got to meet new people and make long lasting friendships.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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 really liked the drive to learn french. In our program you promise to uphold the language pledge so it's on you to keep practicing the language. Our program also gave us the opportunity to go on trips to see more of France outside of the host city

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)

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 signed a pledge to ONLY speak French

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 200 level college course
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Don't speak english unless necessary. It's very important to fully immerse yourself in the language you're learning in order to thrive.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Host family
  • Traveling
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • NA
  • NA
  • NA
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It wont be like other study abroad experiences in good and bad ways. If you don't pay attention to the language pledge you could make more international and American friends but if you do you'll make amazing progress with the language you're learning and connect deeply with the culture.

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:

Production Orale et Civilisation
Course Department: CFLE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Good course where we learned about some of the current culture of France. Talked a lot about identity, did presentations, discussed with other students.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Physique expérimentale
Course Department: Physique
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Français
Comments: Yes the course was challenging. We did a lot of experiments in lab. We had to write many lab reports in French which was difficult. The teachers were knowledgeable.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

compréhension des écrits
Course Department: CFLE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Course was fun and a little challenging. we read a bunch of different stories and passages. would fill out information about these writings to see if we understood what was said.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Comprehension de l'orale
Course Department: CFLE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was super helpful. Litened to a lot of audio recordings and some videos to test our listening ability. The audio was kinda rough which was good because it added to difficulty.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Dossier Culturel
Course Department: CFLE
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Not a super challenging course but was great for helping you discover France and look to be a part of cultural activities since you have to present and write papers about what you did.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Initiation à l'Histoire de L'Europe aux XVIe, XVIIe, XVIIIe siècle
Course Department: Histore
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Course was challenging. long lectures with a lot of information. Was an interesting class. Was challenging to keep pace.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Catholiques et Protestants en France de la Renaissance à la Revolution
Course Department: Histoire
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Course required with our school for Middlebury abroad students. Was a great class. Good pace since there weren't a lot of students. Teacher connected well as he was enthusiastic about the course. Final test and presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues: No