The motherland did not disappoint Past Review

By Dasha Pimenov (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/02/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

National Research University – Higher School of Economics: Moscow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

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

I loved living in the city! I got to visit numerous museums, see the Red Square, make friends, take interesting classes. I'm so glad that I got out of my comfort zone to explore and learn about this country and its people.

Review Photos

National Research University – Higher School of Economics: Moscow - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

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 I'm a child of Soviet refugees, so I never had the chance to visit Russia until I discovered the Middlebury Study Abroad Program. It was such a life-changing experience that I will carry with me forever!

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)	Middlebury's financial aid is amazing!
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Food & bus fare were cheap, so I spent very little compared to the U.S.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Save some money for souvenirs

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?	RUSS0500: Advanced Independent Study
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?	Write down words that you hear but don't know the meaning of, learn idioms & figures of speech to have a better understand of Russian culture

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

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?	City life (lots of tourism spots) Trip to St. Petersburg Great classes
* What could be improved?	More trips to other cities/towns in Russia Have a last meeting with everyone before departing for home Better structure for social events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Location of banks for international currency, picking out a Russian phone plan beforehand

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.