Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Independence September 19, 2023

By (History, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/03/2022 to 05/20/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence skills from living on my own and traveling alone. I would say that the traveling really made it worthwhile.

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.

* 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? No

I feel some regret for not choosing the program in Cameroon instead. I did not enjoy my academics in Poitiers and the people were alright but not great.

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? $60

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 0300 level or Advanced
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? Think to yourself in the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Traveling
  • Meeting other International students
* What could be improved?
  • General support with dealing with French institutions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Studying abroad is not just fun and easy. You have to grow up a bit.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

The Conquest of Mesoamerica and the Formation of New Spain (1502-1568)
Course Department: History
Instructor: Sebastien Jahan
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was not super challenging. The professor is an expert in the field. I participated less often than at Middlebury due to nature of course. Assessment was through two exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

17th Century France
Course Department: History
Instructor: Fabrice Vigier
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was not super challenging. The professor is an expert in the field. I participated less often than at Middlebury due to nature of course. Assessment was through one paper accompanied by a presentation and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

The Plebs of Rome
Course Department: History
Instructor: Nicolas Tran
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was somewhat challenging due to vocabulary. The professor is an expert in the field. I participated less often than at Middlebury due to nature of course. Assessment was through a presentation and an exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

The French Revolution: the Invention of Political and Social Modernity
Course Department: History
Instructor: Anne Jollet
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was very challenging due to its philosophical approach. The professor is an expert in the field. I participated less often than at Middlebury due to nature of course. Assessments included one paper, one presentation, and one final exam
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

The Dynamics of Political Engagement in the Contemporary Period
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Francois Dubasque
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was challenging for me due to my lack of knowledge of political science and more specifically French politics. The professor was an expert in the field. I participated less often due to the nature of the course. Assessments included a group paper and presentation and a final exam.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Political Institutions and Power in Indigenous America
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Sebastien Jahan
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course was not super challenging. The professor is an expert and comes at political science from a historian's perspective. I participated less often due to the nature of the course. Assessment was through two exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

French: Oral production and Civilization (B2)
Course Department: CFLE
Instructor: Sabina Mahmadova
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The course not at all challenging. The professor is very kind, but the course seemed like a waste of time. I participated about the same as I would at Middlebury. Assessment was on participation and one presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.