Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Complicated Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/20/2020 to 12/05/2020 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valparaiso

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more Spanish - even though I still think of myself as an intermediate I learned a lot of the language while I was there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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? No

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

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
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
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The push to practice the language
  • The idea of being enrolled in a local university
  • The opportunity the group trip provided for us to connect with others in the country program
* What could be improved?
  • Host family - first one I had was pretty bad.
  • Communication between students and Juan
  • Communication between Middlebury and Middlebury representatives in the country
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Obviously I wish I knew of the complications that would happen in the country. But in terms of the program, I wish that I was aware of how Middlebury tends to handle complicated situations abroad.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Social Movements in Latin America
Course Department: Middlebury Sponsored
Instructor: Juan Pastene, others
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: