Experience of a Lifetime in Cameroon September 14, 2024

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/22/2024 to 06/02/2024 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Yaoundé

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a great deal about Cameroon, about Cameroonian culture, and about local history and politics. My French proficiency improved tremendously, I learned a lot about myself, and I made lifelong friends with Cameroonians and with other students on the program.

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.	Phenomenal academic curriculum with an appropriate amount of work, great professors, and very interesting/relevant subject matter. My academic experience in Yaoundé, especially at the Middlebury Center, was absolutely unparalleled and completely changed my perspective on the value of my college education. I appreciated the balance of 3-4 classes at the Middlebury Center + 1 at UCAC. The subject material of UCAC classes was not valuable, but a very rewarding educational experience nonetheless for the experience taking classes under a different academic model. For courses at UCAC, I wish there would have been more resources available to students who were new to taking classes under the French system. Learning how to do dictées was an uphill battle and classroom/work/exam expectations were very unclear.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Absolutely phenomenal. Christiane is the best! She truly set us up for success, both academically and personally. Always took the time to listen to how we were doing, encouraged us to take risks for personal growth, and fostered a very welcoming environment. She deserves even more than 5 stars.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I had never stayed in a homestay before Cameroon and felt nervous about the idea, but it ended up being the best abroad housing experience I could've asked for. I loved my host family, and got very close with them during my time in Yaoundé. Accommodations themselves were basic but comfortable. The house was huge I had my own room and attached bathroom with direct outdoor access. Electricity came and went (like everywhere in Yaoundé) but we always had consistent running water. My homestay was without a doubt one of the best parts of my study abroad experience.
* Food:	Food in Cameroon was unfamiliar, but very good and very inexpensive once I began to enjoy it. Dinner would be at home prepared by my host family, and lunch outside in the city or at the Middlebury center (for 1000-1500CFA). As a man, I was not allowed to cook in my homestay kitchen, which was very frustrating. There is a mall in the city center with a big European supermarket, but authentic "American-style" food doesn't exist in Yaoundé.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The speed and degree of integration was extremely high on this program. Middlebury does this better than anywhere else.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Went to see the program doctor three times: once for food poisoning, once for the flu, and once for malaria. Was very impressed by the care I received and the quality of the medical facilities. The program doctor was sociable and funny and very professional.
* Safety:	As a foreigner, Yaoundé is safe city during the day (apart from petty crime) but very dangerous at night. With proper precautions, serious security situations can be avoided, but the resulting restriction of movement was incessant and frustrating. Muggings are frequent in the city after dark and can turn violent if one resists. That said, kidnappings are not a concern in Yaoundé. The security situation shouldn't be a reason to avoid coming to Cameroon (Middlebury takes good care of you!) but something to be aware of.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes This program was thrilling and transformative, academically as well as personally. I would jump on the opportunity to do it again if given the chance.

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)	Spent an average of $50-70 USD per week (30-40k CFA), all expenses included. A standard lunch cost 1000CFA ($1.60), and a taxi to UCAC or Middlebury cost 500CFA ($0.80) each way.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Goods and services at western standards are consistent with their western prices (think $15 for a good burger or $10 for a cocktail), which will quickly feel excessive once you're adjusted to Cameroonian prices. $50-100 is a comfortable weekly budget which will let you eat out most days, go to bars, and participate in activities. On a strict budget, you can manage on $25-30/week.

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	The entire program, from classes to homestays to free time was conducted exclusively in French. Most people in Yaoundé don't speak English, so you have no choice but to get by in French.
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?	Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	0224
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Direct Enrollment

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	100% immersion Host family experience Opportunities to travel within Cameroon
* What could be improved?	Inconsistent course scheduling
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The best way to go is with no expectations, an open mind, and an open heart. I knew nothing about Cameroon when I first arrived and frequently second guessed my choice during orientation, but Cameroon grew on me fast and by the end of the semester I didn't want to leave.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Cultural Theories and Practices
Course Department:
Instructor:	Christiane Magnido
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This class with Christiane was enjoyable and incredibly thought-provoking. Half-credit, seminar-style course on how to contextualize our study abroad experiences through the framework of cultural theory. Topics included cultural shock, adjustment, integration, cultural appropriation, and personal growth in a new environment. Class readings and discussions were fascinating and relevant; one of the highlights of my academic experience in Yaoundé.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Women in Transforming Conflict
Course Department:
Instructor:	Various; Christiane Magnido
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	Among the most valuable courses I have had the pleasure of taking. Multiple Cameroonian guest professors were invited to teach parts of the course, along with representatives from Cameroonian NGOs. Led to very rich conversations about feminism in the Cameroonian context, the role of NGOs and international orgs in Cameroon, and the modern day implications of Cameroon's complex colonial and linguistic history. Undoubtedly challenging but incredibly rewarding.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Medumba Language and Interculturality
Course Department:
Instructor:	Prof Basile
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Prof Basile is wonderful and this class was enjoyable. Built in excursions, and the workload was very manageable. That said, Prof Basile would sometimes put female students in our class into uncomfortable interactions with aggressive Cameroonian men during class excursions. Additionally, class meetings were scheduled very inconsistently due to restraints from UCAC - some weeks we met multiple times, and other times we would go weeks without meeting, which made it difficult to retain the vocabulary covered. But a valuable experience overall.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Intro to International Relations
Course Department:
Instructor:	UCAC Prof
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	Not very interesting or valuable, but a good class to make friends at UCAC. Course is offered in level 1 in the auditorium and was not difficult.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Women in CT (Research Project)
Course Department:
Instructor:	Prof Fofack
Instruction Language:
Comments:	Research methods were iffy, but I really enjoyed working closely with Prof Fofack and having the opportunity to be on a project with Cameroonian researchers. The subject matter tied in very nicely to the conversations we were having in other classes at the Middlebury Center and gave me exposure to Cameroonian journalism and radio. Major bummer though that Middlebury stopped funding on-the-ground research projects and only allows monitoring now.
Credit Transfer Issues: