Moscow is Cold Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Moscow

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live somewhat independently in a big city. In some respects, yes it was worthwhile.

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.

The program was nowhere near Middlebury standards of academic rigor.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Nana and Shushana were very helpful and organized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't really get to meet that many every day Russians

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Getting cared for at the clinic was very easy

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the same program because Moscow is my favorite city in Russia. I would set learning goals for my self next time.

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)

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

Required

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300
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? Resist the temptation to resort to English.

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
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
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how easy the classes would be.

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:

Moscow: Culture and History

Course Department:
Instructor: Maya Anatolyevna
Instruction Language: Russian
Comments: Maya Anatolyevna was a great teacher but I was just not interested in how the course was structured.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Grammar

Course Department:
Instructor: Anna Mikhailovna
Instruction Language: Russian
Comments: This class was great. There were only two students (including myself), so the one-on-one attention was fantastic!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Speech

Course Department:
Instructor: Maria Petrovna
Instruction Language: Russian
Comments: This class was an awful waste of time.
Credit Transfer Issues: