Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A lot of challenges and adventures Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/22/2019 to 07/15/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am sometimes too patient and need to be more vocal when I am unhappy with my situation. At the same time, some things will always be out of my control.

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?

I had a really negative home stay experience. My family did not have interest in interacting with me and I often had to buy my own food to feed myself despite the promise of 3 meals a day.

* Food:

When I was fed, it consisted of bread and butter.

* 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

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)

Less easily because I had to buy my own food. Also buses get expensive and it was silly that we were not given the student pass.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100

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? >350
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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
  • 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?
  • Support system
  • 1:1 with spanish tutor
  • Language pledge
* What could be improved?
  • Host family
  • Academics
  • Trips/activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Advocate for yourself before you feel as though time to do so has run out. There is always a solution.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Oceanography

Course Department: Sea Sciences
Instructor: 3 instructors
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This course was taught by 3 different professors, each with different expectations and little communication between them and the students.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American Art
Course Department: Art
Instructor: Bettoni
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: I learned more outside of class than within class time.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Painting 1
Course Department: Art
Instructor: Tomas Fernandez
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Although this was a beginning painting course, expectations were extremely high and the grades given were extremely low. We only ever painting in black and white and the subject of the paintings were always still life models. No creativity allowed.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Middlebury Course
Course Department:
Instructor: Juan Pastene
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: A large time commitment. I do not think this class should be required. The 1:1 meetings with a language professor were extremely helpful though.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Botanical Garden Internship
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This was the best part of my abroad experience!
Credit Transfer Issues: