Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging but Worthwhile Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2016 to 02/04/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to live entirely immersed within another culture, rather than merely floating around the periphery of such. The overall experience was extremely challenging but without that difficulty, I would never have come away with the sense of fulfillment and self-understanding which I now carry with me in my every-day life.

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? 50 euro not including rent/utilities

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

full language immersion.

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? I had finished the 200 level (second year) at the summer Middlebury Language School.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Class (incredibly interesting)
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Administration
  • Communication between Administration and Students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that I would succeed on my finals, as I spent much time stressing over exams that I would ultimately do very well on. Levels of preparation in Italy differ from that of America.

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:

L'Arte Moderna
Course Department: SAGAS
Instructor: Gnocchi
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Very challenging course - approaches renaissance art history through a philosophical lens - yet ultimately, very rewarding.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Archeologia Greca e Romana
Course Department: SAGAS
Instructor: De Tommaso / Romeo
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Super interesting, both professors are incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.
Course Name/Rating:

Course Department: Middlebury Sede
Instructor: -
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Challenging but a smaller setting focused on moving towards fluency.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.