Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Building Resiliency April 16, 2024

By (Gender, Sexuality, Feminist Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury In Rabat, Morocco

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely improved my language skills. I had to try to either be ok with people making assumptions about me, or build my identity and personality in different ways, since language was something I couldn't rely on.

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? Yes

It was hard, but I think I learned how to be on my own and rely on myself.

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? Maybe averaging $20 every two weeks.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at home, save up for emergencies, and make sure your credit card works. Get bigger sums of money (discretely) from the ATM to avoid more fees. Some ATMs are more expensive than others.

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? Beginner
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? ARBC 202
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • Americans
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?
  • The professors
  • Classes
  • The city of Rabat
* What could be improved?
  • Flexibility on the language pledge
  • Interacting with locals and making friends
  • Resources to explore Rabat
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it's ok to take breaks!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Modern Standard Arabic
Course Department: Arabic
Instructor: Professor Mariam
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: It was challenging. It would be helpful if the instructors had a bit more knowledge of the curriculum used to teach us before the program so that they knew what our knowledge base was. I participated in class more often than usual. We had homework, exams, and presentations in this course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Colloquial Moroccan Arabic
Course Department: Arabic
Instructor: Professor Achraf
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: It was challenging, and a good beginner for the Moroccan dialect. We were assessed through daily participation, oral exams, and presentations.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Women and the Quran
Course Department: Arabic
Instructor: Professor Hakyma
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: Professor Hakyma was very good at meeting me where I was at, and challenging me appropriately. I felt comfortable asking questions, and she answered all of them very well. I learned a lot in this course!
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Politics of North Africa
Course Department: Arabic
Instructor: Professor Bouz
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: This class was challenging, but very informative. It gave good history about the region, and information on what is happening today. Professor Bouz was very helpful in teaching us new vocabulary.
Credit Transfer Issues: No