Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

dont stay with host fam February 20, 2024

By (Comparative Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/02/2022 to 12/18/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes

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.

French universities are very difficult

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

A bit bureaucratic although I understand the necessity. However as I had mental health conditions I think I definitely would have appreciated more understanding and flexibility when I was struggling

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Do not go for host family unless you need the language immersion. My language level did not make that a necessity and the host family experience was quite detrimental to my mental health.

* Food:

France

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Insurance was useful. Physical health was easy, however mental health conditions are treated differently and I was not able to find certain medications I need as they are illegal in host country.

* Safety:

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

I have to go with Middlebury if I go to Paris

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)

I wasnt on a typical student's budget

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

mandatory

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? advanced
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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?
  • Paris
* What could be improved?
  • More administrative personnel
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring enough adderall prescription

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

France en Europe
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intro au droit
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intro analyse d'image
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Favorite class.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

arts, idees, philosophies
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: