Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester in France August 14, 2023

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Trinity College) - abroad from 01/02/2023 to 06/17/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned about a different style of living, greatly improved my language skills, and was able to advance my academic career as well.

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.

Courses were generally easier than those offered at my home institution, but with the added difficulty of doing them in a second language made them equivalent in challenge.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Some issues were resolved well, but often if I brought up issues I had with the program/courses, I felt like the program staff took no responsibility. I often felt like there was a lack of communication between the program and the students.

* 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?

Healthcare in the country was easy and providers were nice. However, the program did not make it clear what specific resources were available to me and how to navigate the system.

* Safety:

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

I feel like no other program offers the experience and ability to continue a STEM major while studying abroad. However, I felt like many difficulties I faced while abroad were due to a lack of communication from the program. For instance, we were not told about the CAF for student housing, our expected academic calednar changed a week before we were meant to arrive, I was told our director had our schedules but did not send them out, etc. It was frustrating at times, but overall the people I met and the classes I took made it a really great experience.

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? about $50-100 on food, but definitely could have survived on even less
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Every city in France will have a weekly produce market. It's a great way to experience the local culture and also save money! You can get fresh fruits and vegetables for cheap

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 355
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Excursions
  • Language intensity
  • Courses offered
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
  • Provided information about what French academics look like BEFORE we get to the country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew what a STEM student's schedule actually looked like and what the French system was like

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 Urbanite
A 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.