Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learning and growing in Bordeaux February 05, 2023

By (Spanish and French, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2022 to 12/19/2022 with

University of Bordeaux: Bordeaux - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My french has greatly improved. I also learned how to travel alone and live comfortably abroad. It was definitely worthwhile.

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.

I think I greatly improved my french skills

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We had an incredible masters student who helped us with any problems we had.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host family and housing was incredible, I couldn't have asked for a better situation.

* Food:

I got to try a lot of authentic French cuisine prepared by my host parents and their friends.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think I integrated well into the local culture due to Middlebury events as well as events organized by

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any experience with health care

* Safety:

I felt very safe over the course of my experience

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

I would have chosen another direct enrollment program since other international students weren't put under the same conditions as Middlebury students.

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)

It depends on everyone's financial situation and their spending habits. I spent a lot more on my semester abroad than I do at home but then again I was traveling and doing activities I don't normally do.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It depended on the week and my activities, no two weeks were the same.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I think staying in hostels while traveling was my best money saving tip.

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

We signed a language pledge.

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? I attended Middlebury College French School in the advanced level the summer before going to France
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? I think I learned the most communicating with my host family and other native speakers.

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
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My host family
  • My french friends
  • the city
* What could be improved?
  • All pre departure communication
  • Orientation upon arrival
  • Academic guidance throughout the semester
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about what my academic schedule would have looked like.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Histoire
Course Department: History (Middlebury)
Instructor: Stéphanie Lachaud
Instruction Language: french
Comments: This class was challenging due to the time offered. This was a mandatory class for Middlebury students and we were not given an option to take another class even if this class interfered with other classes for our major. The way this class was taught was not very engaging since it was a 3 hour lecture with one break in the middle. I also think the specificity of the subject matter impeded our learning of french since we focused on antiquated language rather than modern day french. I did not participate as often in this class as I did in my home institution because there were not many opportunities to participate. Our essays were on subjects of our choosing and the presentations by other students were interesting even with all the constraints.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not with this course since it was a Middlebury course.