Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best trip to Siberia one could possibly have Past Review

By (Yale University) - abroad from 08/30/2017 to 12/16/2017 with

Middlebury Language Schools: Davis School of Russian

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to greatly improve my abilities with the Russian language and learn about a distant (and very misunderstood in my opinion) part of the world. I got to really experience life in Irkutsk and will remember the time I spent there forever; if given the opportunity, I will definitely return.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $40

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? 3rd Year Russian
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Russian food is incredible, especially the new Siberian dishes I got to try
  • The program was small, so I got to know the other American students and our director really well
  • Almost every other weekend we would go on an excursion to another part of the region (several times to Lake Baikal) so I was never without something interesting to do
* What could be improved?
  • There isn't anything I can think of that I would change about the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I was better prepared for how cold it was as we got further into the winter. I knew beforehand that Siberia gets cold in the winter, but it is impossible to actually understand how cold it is until you experience it firsthand; it would have been better if I brought more warm clothes with me.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'