Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging and eye-opening Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/28/2017 to 06/09/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Hangzhou

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my language ability and gained a greater cultural perspective.

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

This program challenged me in terms of my language ability, and provided ample opportunities to practice, but lacked in opportunities for cultural exposure. The workload was often so great that it left no time for anything but schoolwork.

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
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat in the dining halls

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? 300 level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Teachers
  • Location
  • Roommates
* What could be improved?
  • Courseload
  • Opportunities out of the classroom
  • Mental health resources
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I'd been advised to take course based on what I was interested in, rather than what I hoped I could get course credit for back at my home university, as my home university rarely provides course credit for classes taken abroad.

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:

One-on-One
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Professor Gao
Instruction Language: Mandarin Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Imperial Chinese History
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Professor Zhang
Instruction Language: Mandarin Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Newspaper Reading
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Professor Wu
Instruction Language: Mandarin Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Hangzhou Studies
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Professors Lian and Shi
Instruction Language: Mandarin Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: