Paris: A city of neverending surprises November 01, 2023

By (Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/01/2023 to 06/02/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about time management

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

I would but I think the Paris program should work more on offering more cultural activities that work with more people's schedules. Also, the Bordeaux program seemed to be more close-knit and had a trip to Chamonix at the end of the year

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? 200+

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? Advanced
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? a 300
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Centre Madeleine Headquarters
  • Middlebury Sponsored trip to Giverny
  • Free museums
* What could be improved?
  • Academic support
  • Classes offered at Centre Madeleine
  • Cultural Activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much independence is needed

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:

Actress as a Novel Character

Course Department: Middlebury School in Paris
Instructor: Thibaut Casagrande
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Was it challenging? --Yes Did it make use of the location and offer relevant field trips?-- Decently Was the teacher knowledgeable and well-prepared?--Yes Did you participate in class more or less often than you would have at your home institution?-- Less How were you assessed (papers, exams, homework, etc) -- papers and exam
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Advanced French: Mid

Course Department: Middlebury School in Paris
Instructor: Patrick Guedon
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Was it challenging? -- medium Did it make use of the location and offer relevant field trips?-- no Was the teacher knowledgeable and well-prepared?-- yes Did you participate in class more or less often than you would have at your home institution?-- same How were you assessed (papers, exams, homework, etc)? -- all of the above
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Money, Banking, and Finance

Course Department: Université Paris Cité
Instructor: Rudy Bouguelli
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Was it challenging?-- Yes Did it make use of the location and offer relevant field trips? -- No Was the teacher knowledgeable and well-prepared?-- Knowledgeable, not prepare Did you participate in class more or less often than you would have at your home institution? -- Less How were you assessed (papers, exams, homework, etc)? -- Final exam
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

European Economics

Course Department: Université Paris Cité
Instructor: Fabrice Bourcelot
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Was it challenging? -- yes Did it make use of the location and offer relevant field trips? -- No Was the teacher knowledgeable and well-prepared? -- Knowledgeable, unprepared Did you participate in class more or less often than you would have at your home institution? -- Less How were you assessed (papers, exams, homework, etc)? -- Papers and exams
Credit Transfer Issues: