Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester studying in Poitiers August 03, 2023

By (Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Amherst College) - abroad from 01/02/2023 to 06/23/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Poitiers

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was able to become more confident in my French speaking abilities as well as become more independent. I would say that my semester abroad was very worth it.

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.

It was decently rigorous and the program provides plenty of resources for those who need/want it such as french language and subject specific tutors who are masters students at the local university.

* 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

As someone who likes smaller cities, I feel like Poitiers was the perfect place for me to study abroad as I was able to practice my French quite easily with people since the accent is quite neutral and not as many people speaking fluent English as they do in Paris. Poitiers' location also allowed me to explore western and southern France with ease.

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? 120

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-207 Introduction to French Literature and Culture
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Available courses
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? In order to travel to any city in eastern France and some smaller western french cities from Poitiers by train will require going to Paris by train first.

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:

Histoire Religieuse de la France de la Renaissance à la Révolution
Course Department: History
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The instructor is a great lecturer and made the expectations for course and examinations very clear. He was very understanding with students who had issues come up.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Immunologic et Microbiologie
Course Department: BBMCG
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: It was a little challenging to catch up on background immunology information that the French students would have learned in previous courses, but beyond that the course was well taught and easy to follow through.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Stability et Variability des Génomes
Course Department: BBMCG
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Signalisation et Différentiation Cellulaire
Course Department: BBMCG
Instructor:
Instruction Language: French
Comments: The professor is a wonderful lecturer and very understanding. The exam and presentations were fair and she gave us a lot of help with preparing for them.
Credit Transfer Issues: