Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersive and challenging August 04, 2026

By (Geography, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/02/2026 to 05/04/2026 with

Middlebury Language Schools: French Language School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned independence, resilience, and lots of French.

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

Very limited campus programming or events for international students at my house University. (Université Bordeaux Montaigne

* 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

Although it was not easy, I am grateful that I challenged myself and believe that I learned from my experience.

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? 200 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Work and save as much as possible before going abroad.

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 228
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

  • Local 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
  • The City of Bordeaux
  • Friends I made
* What could be improved?
  • Middlebury Colleges involvement in the program
  • Université Bordeaux Montaigne
  • Efforts to connect us with members of the school in France
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It was not going to be easy.

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:

Geographic Objects
Course Department: Geography
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was challenging and offered me a new perspective on Geography.
Credit Transfer Issues: I have yet to receive credit for this course at Middlebury College
Course Name/Rating:

Economic Geography
Course Department: Geography
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: French
Comments: While the content of the course was adequate, the instructor frequently canceled class and offered little to no feedback on course assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues: The instructor failed to fill out the sheet I provided her with outlining the content of the course. I have yet to receive major credit for this course at Middlebury college.
Course Name/Rating:

History of the French Family

Course Department: N/A
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The content of this course did not seem applicable to modern day.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

American short stories
Course Department: English
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This course was not particularly challenging, but it offered an interesting interpretation of American literature and culture from a French perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues: no.
Course Name/Rating:

French as a foreign language
Course Department: French
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This course was a good French as a foreign language course.
Credit Transfer Issues: no.