It was hard but I learned a lot Past Review
By A student (Kenyon College) - abroad from 08/29/2019 to 12/20/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers
I learned independence. It was definitely a worthwhile experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
In Poitiers, the students living in the university residences are expected to cook for themselves. The cafeterias on campus only serve lunch but their options were very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to make friends with the other French students but doing things like buying groceries or getting a haircut made me feel like I was a part of the everyday life in Poitiers. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have too many health issues but the doctors and pharmacies are very accessible. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
A lot of things proved to be difficult, but they were circumstantial challenges that no one could have predicted. I liked the size of Poitiers and I made some good friends. |
Finances
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* 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) |
Middlebury advises the students to allot a budget of about $700 a month and I was able to stay within that budget. However, things like rent and groceries add up quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 100 dollars. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 361 at Kenyon College |
| 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? | I had a vocabulary word of the day that was helpful. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had known that there was not a program representative in Poitiers. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
