great experience. March 14, 2024

By (International Politics & Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/05/2022 to 05/13/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Paris

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I can survive, and cultural integration is easy for me. yes it was worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Everything was moderately difficult but a good challenge. I felt very lost with the actual administrative parts of studying abraod (i.e. orientation, where my classes were, when the exams were, how to find stuy materials etc.).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I feel like nobody really knew what was going on or how to help with the problems i encountered.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

housing was the best part of my experience. i lived in a foyer.

* Food:

food was great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

this was the easy part for me.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to have emergency surgery, was hospitalized for a week and i figured it out on my own. the school wasn't terribly helpful with the insurance information.

* Safety:

This was fine, while there were a few issues it's nothing the school can control.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would transfer to another school's program for study abroad and not use middlebury.

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)

It's paris.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not sure. it was over 2 years ago.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? not really.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 something
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? live with a host family

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people i met
  • the experiences i had with new friends
  • getting to know a new place
* What could be improved?
  • orientation for students at the local university
  • printed schedule of all local university class times, and exams and requirements
  • more middlebury student planned events through the school
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that my credits wouldn't all be transferred to middlebury.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

french

Course Department: french
Instructor: *
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Yes, this class was a good challenge. I liked the assesment methods but was uninspired to participate more due to my own health issues while i was abroad.
Credit Transfer Issues: no