Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Academic haven, but make time for fun and exploring the place Past Review

By (International Politics and Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/04/2019 to 04/13/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury – CMRS Oxford Humanities Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile! I split my time abroad between two locations and felt I could gain cultural exchange from one semester, and academic advancement through CMRS.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 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)

England is expensive for a lot of things but you can cook in the kitchen. I was able to find cheap groceries.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300-level (intermediate)
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? Find friends who speak the target language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • academic rigor and library resources
  • housing location and the kitchen/main common space!
  • surroundings, green spaces
* What could be improved?
  • dorm facilities (boiler broke, small rooms, etc) and handicap accessibility
  • integration with local culture
  • would like longer break between regular and research courses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? make an active effort to make local friends. I wish there was more support for integration.

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:

Japanese tutorial
Course Department: Japanese
Instructor: Junko Hagiwara
Instruction Language: Japanese
Comments: We read through a novel, was very individualized in pace and content. I wish there were other Japanese students with whom to learn alongside!
Credit Transfer Issues: only general credit transferred
Course Name/Rating:

Political Philosophy II Seminar
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Sophie Nicholls
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A lot of readings, very open discussion two hours per week (as a seminar). Sophie is a supportive discussion leader. Sophie is very passionate about what she does.
Credit Transfer Issues: only general credit transferred
Course Name/Rating:

Modern African Politics tutorial
Course Department: Political Science
Instructor: Dan Hodgkinson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Like other tutorials, in this class, we read a lot each week and wrote a weekly essay. Very challenging. Dan is very knowledgeable and pushes student learning by asking great questions in class. We had a class of three, so it was helpful to share ideas and take turns answering his questions.
Credit Transfer Issues: transferred IPE major credit