Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A personal experience in language emersion and in learning to spend time alone Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
French fluency, confidence, travel experience, learned more about myself and the world. Yes it was worthwhile

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $140

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? 221
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 Erasmus students I made friends with who were easily accessible at SciencesPoBdx
  • My host family
  • Speaking in French
* What could be improved?
  • Don't tell students to be French!!! It's very socially isolating!! Erasmus students speak French and often need friends, while French students can be more closed off and don't always need friends. Be honest about this!!!!
  • Cultural preparation for the lack of smiling and kindness
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Erasmus students are people you should spend time with from day 1 because often they take the language seriously and because they are looking for friends. This enriched my experience far more than my often base level relationships with French students.

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:

Sociologie Politique
Course Department: Sociologie
Instructor: M. Tiberj
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Institutions Europeénnes

Course Department: Sciences Politiques
Instructor: M. Scymzak
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Rapports Nord-Sud
Course Department: IGST
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Conference de Methode
Course Department: Sciences Politique
Instructor: M. Soizic
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

French
Course Department: French
Instructor: M. Mélanie
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Grands Enjeux Urbains Contemporains
Course Department: Sociologie
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Géopolitique du Monde Arabe

Course Department: Sciences Politiques
Instructor: M. Ottayak
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Institutions Françaises
Course Department: Sciences Politiques
Instructor: M. Laforce
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: