Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great Place + Great Time, but a lot of busy work June 17, 2025

By (Political Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/17/2025 to 05/11/2025 with

SIT Study Abroad: Switzerland - International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy (Summer)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
French Skills. More general knowledge on international relations

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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? 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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French 205
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • 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?
  • Fellow Classmates
  • Travel to other countries
  • Local activities
* What could be improved?
  • Need less busy work
  • More engagement with local organizations
  • More contact with locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that despite living in the city hosting all these international organizations that I would have extremely low connection with them.

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

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Multilateral Diplomacy
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Methods and Ethics
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French 2
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Security and Peace
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