Oh, the places you'll go! Past Review
By Sean Howard (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/07/2019 to 05/03/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Irkutsk
I learned how to challenge myself in every way possible.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Irkutsk is a time-intensive program academically. Students disagree on the intellectual challenge, but you will have plenty of work to do. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Russian food is alright. There are some solid dishes. But it will be repetitive. There was a local food called boozi that was very popular. A dumpling. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I tried my best and I would say it was overall successful. Russians are curious about you. Take advantage of it but be safe. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Don't drink too much. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would. It's not for the feint of heart. But if you try to meet Russians and really give the lifestyle a shot, you'll have a chance. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring cash. And lots of it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Language pledge. Students do a good job of self-enforcement for the most part. |
| 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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't do this if you don't want to. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Ecology of Lake Baikal |
| Course Department: | Ecology |
| Instructor: | Maxim and Anya |
| Instruction Language: | Russian |
| Comments: | It was not challenging, but it was enjoyable. Lots of excursions to beautiful places. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
