Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience of my life Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 05/23/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Other than improving my French, I am more well-versed in French culture. I also had the opportunity to travel to several other cities because traveling within Europe is very cheap and accessible.

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?

I did not have any health problems.

* Safety:

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

Paris was a perfect place to study abroad.

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)

Paris is undoubtedly a very expensive city.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? On weekends, I spent most of my money going out with friends and on Uber rides, so just be aware that the costs add up and they add up fast.

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? French 0255
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? Other than actually speaking it, I would say doing personal things like reading books, listening to music, and even attempting to think to yourself in the language. Full immersion is the only way.

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
  • 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?
  • The directors at the Middlebury building
  • My host parents.
  • The freedom of being in a large city again opposes to rural Vermont
* What could be improved?
  • Helping students out more financially (e.g. spending 70 euros on a Navigo pass every month was very expensive)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It flies by.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

La France coloniale
Course Department: History
Instructor: Nicolas Roussellier
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Professor Roussellier was one of my favorite professors in Paris. I could listen to him lecture for hours. He was very knowledgeable. I definitely participated a bit less but that was because this professor loved to talk, as do a lot of French professors. Over the course of the semester, I had an oral presentation, a midterm essay, and a final essay.
Credit Transfer Issues: I did not have problems because it was a course taught at the Middlebury building in Paris.