Allons-y! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2018 to 12/21/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Bordeaux

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence, made friends and learned more about myself as a person. Definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

I loved the city of Bordeaux and all of the people in my program.

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
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Resist the urge to go out to eat a lot, it really adds up.

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? French 394
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Turn your phone's language to French and listen to TV and music in French.

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
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • location
  • students
  • support
* What could be improved?
  • small fund for cultural experiences
  • better communication after getting home
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It can be difficult to transfer major credit.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

HIstoire Contemporaine

Course Department: L2 Histoire
Instructor: Guillaume Pierric
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Good course with a demanding professor who covered a lot of content in a short amount of time.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Histoire ancienne

Course Department: L2 Histoire
Instructor: Remi Saou
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Passionate professor who did a great job contextualizing Greek history events.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Notions et Problèmes Philosophiques

Course Department: L2 Histoire
Instructor: Judith Bordes
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Dull course, professor was difficult to understand at times, uninteresting material.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Les Campagnes dans le monde

Course Department: L3 Géographie
Instructor: Michel Réjalot
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Engaging professor, fascinating coursework and detailed map analyses.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Géopolitique des ressources

Course Department: L3 Géographie
Instructor: Karine Rosier
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Professor was not a great lecturer, but the course content was very interesting and I enjoyed hearing it from the French perspective.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Histoire, pratiques, acteurs, et institutions du développement

Course Department: L3 Géographie
Instructor: Marie Mellac
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Professor wasn't very interesting and didn't always give clear directions, but the content was engaging.
Credit Transfer Issues: