Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

OK. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/06/2017 to 07/28/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Montevideo

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
N.A

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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? No

Montevideo is way too small and not as urban as I would have hoped. The city felt very limiting and this reflected on the program as well.

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)

Uruguay is expensive, especially if you need to buy clothes.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? N/A

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

Mandatory use of 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? SPAN 315
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Make friends with local students and your host family so conversations can be used as practice. Try to go to activities such as fairs, musicals or other events to hear performances in the language.

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
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?
  • N/A
* What could be improved?
  • The site
  • Internship options
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew not to choose to go to Uruguay

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Ethnography of Latin American Youth

Course Department: SOAN
Instructor: Rossal
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This was a very interesting course with two very knowledgable and helpful professors. They were extremely accommodating to my needs as an international student and provided many resources for my learning. I participated less often than I would at Middlebury, but that is because the class was larger than most classes here. My assessment included readings, class discussions, a midterm paper and a final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Morfosintaxis of Portuguese

Course Department: PGSE
Instructor: Raquel Carinhas
Instruction Language: Portuguese and Spanish
Comments: This course was a bit challenging but still very rewarding because the professor was amazing at explaining concepts and ensured that each student understood what was being taught. Also, she incorporated field trips into the coursework which was very helpful. I participated about the same as I would at Middlebury, maybe even more, because the class was very small and learning was a collaborative effort. My assessment included two exams, participation and weekly homework assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues: N/A
Course Name/Rating:

Internship in Uruguay

Course Department: N/A
Instructor: N/A
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: This internship was the most disappointing experience I have ever had in relation to the work force. I would not recommend that any other student intern here.
Credit Transfer Issues: Yes. The internship was defaulted as a SPAN course even though the work I did there should be INTD.