Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Semester in Kazakhstan February 09, 2024

By (Global Studies, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2023 to 12/08/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Russian Program in Kazakhstan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a confidence in myself and a better understading of what goals I have for my academic career.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 311
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Learn vocabulary for ordering food, directions, and objects in a room!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the excursions
  • exploring the city
* What could be improved?
  • communication with dorm managers
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more logistical details about establishing life in Kazakhstan, such as opening a bank account, how to order taxis, and the best parts of the city to explore.

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:

History and Culture of Kazakhstan
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: This was an informative course, but the vast majority of information wasn't tested. I liked the individual presentations at the end, where we each picked a topic. The professor was knowledgeable, but deadlines could be confusing at times.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Political Russian (Intermediate Russian)
Course Department:
Instructor: Olesya Melnikova
Instruction Language: Russian
Comments: I only really learned vocabulary in this class, which was helpful, but not to the degree I would have liked from a specific language class. We had readings, occasional grammar tests with usually only a day of notice, and a good selection of movies with written analyses.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

East in Russian Literature
Course Department:
Instructor: Yuliya Kozitskaya
Instruction Language: Russian
Comments: It was a challenging course, with some subjectivity in the grading system. There were times where I didn't understand why I was given a certain grade, but I felt that I learned a great deal in this course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues. Make sure you save your written assignments and keep them all in one place.
Course Name/Rating:

Kazakh 101
Course Department:
Instructor: Aidar Balabekov
Instruction Language: Russian, Kazakh, English
Comments: Very challenging course. The textbook is entirely in Kazakh, and focuses more on speaking than teaching important grammatical rules. It's best to find supplemental grammar resource to reference on your own.
Credit Transfer Issues: