Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Would not suggest for Middlebury students Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/31/2019 to 12/16/2019 with

CIEE: Lisbon - Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to communicate and advocate for myself when in tricky living situations and how to navigate a university with minimal assistance.

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? No

I wish I had done Brazil because this program was not good for Middlebury students who go to a country with the purpose of actually learning the local language. Most students in the program only took courses in English.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably about 50 a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a journal of all expenses.

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? Beginner
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? Advanced portuguese but thats just semester 2 of Portuguese.
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? Make local friends and practice with your homestay.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • the city
  • the language
  • language class
* What could be improved?
  • academic help to students direct enrolling
  • vetting homestays better
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That this program is almost exclusively students who just want to be in Portugal but will take all classes in English and don't have interest in learning the language, aka more like studying in Copenhagen or Amsterdam.

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:

Globalization and Migration
Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Nicholas Miller
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was a challenging course with a Middlebury level reading load and assignment.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Literatura e Cinema
Course Department: Estudos Portugueses
Instructor: Golgona Anghel
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: The professor was a bit scattered and not very authoritative in leading class discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Portugues Avanzado
Course Department: Portuguese
Instructor: Carla Pereira
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: It was a good class and challenging.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Historia de Relações Internacionais Portugueses
Course Department: Ciencia Política e Relações Internacionais
Instructor: Tiago Moreia de Sa
Instruction Language: Portuguese
Comments: Class was very hard but instructor was great.
Credit Transfer Issues: