The experience of a lifetime Past Review
By Grace Manning (College of the Holy Cross) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Yaoundé
I learned a lot about the Cameroonian culture, history, people and many languages. I also learned about governmental and economic issues and I was able to put things I had heard about central Africa into context in order to better understand them.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very satisfied, I loved my host family and I felt I had everything I needed. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated with the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe while abroad. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I absolutely loved studying abroad in Cameroon with the Middlebury language program. I felt supported and safe while also having enormous freedom to explore the country and to integrate into society. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I chose to eat some imported foods that were more expensive than the local foods, hence I spent more money than one could if they only ate local foods |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat as much local food as possible (food off the street, from the markets, etc.) as imported food is very expensive. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We signed a language pledge. |
| 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? | FREN 472 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take the pledge seriously and have as many interactions as possible with the local people. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the time will pass so quickly! |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
