Study Away needs better support, but overall fine July 22, 2021

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2018 to 12/14/2018 with

Study Away at the Middlebury Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It wasn't abroad. Not worthwhile unless you want to complete a graduate degree at MIIS.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academic rigour was pretty lacking. I would say I got a better education at Middlebury, which was concerning given this is a graduate-level program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

There was little to no support.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

No housing is provided, and no support to seek housing. I was crashing on a friends couch for the first two weeks while I struggled to find a place. I know a peer also studying away at MIIS struggled for months with their living situation.

* Food:

The stipend provided was adequate.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Again, there was no one assigned to study-away students for us to reach out to.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Nice to get graduate program experience, but not good enough to waste six months. I mostly just worked my three jobs and spent time with friends rather than focusing on school.

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)

I worked three jobs as well. California is not cheap.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Easy
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Academics
  • Support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it isn't worth my time.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Mktg&ConsultingSocEntrprnrship

Course Department: MBA
Instructor: -
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Easy class.
Credit Transfer Issues: All transferred
Course Name/Rating:

Business Competition Immersion

Course Department: MBA
Instructor: -
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Easy class.
Credit Transfer Issues: All transferred
Course Name/Rating:

Soc Entrepreneurship:Tech&Data

Course Department: MBA
Instructor: -
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Was a really poorly run class, with disparate assignments. Received a terrible grade despite performing well on all assignments and exams.
Credit Transfer Issues: Transferred, unfortunately
Course Name/Rating:

Behavioral Finance

Course Department: MBA
Instructor: -
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Easy and interesting class
Credit Transfer Issues: Transferred