Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I had fun January 17, 2024

By (Computer Science, Middlebury College) - abroad from 04/16/2023 to 08/03/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Potsdam

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

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.

I didn't like how all of the grades were contingent on a single test/paper.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

A mess

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

I cooked

* 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

Great location, less usage of English. great people. I wish the middlebury team based here was better.

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)

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? 400
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? Make friends in the target language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • Freedom to do what I wanted most of the time.
  • The other students
  • Independence I had
* What could be improved?
  • Mandatory first trip is terrible/expensive for those who don't live in Mainz
  • The mandatory weekly meetings were a pain for those who lived in Potsdam and had to commute 1hr one way.
  • I wish I had better advising help for classes and the logistical issues I had.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Get the student visa even if they tell you not to.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Maschinelles Lernen
Course Department: Computer Science
Instructor:
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Homework doesn't matter at all, all depends on a final exam or a coding project (which Middlebury will not give credit for). I did excelled on homework, but fell short defending my test in German. very disappointing
Credit Transfer Issues: Do not take this class. Germans grade differently as well. Lower grades are more common there, while they destroy your GPA at home.
Course Name/Rating:

Verantwortung und Menschenrechte
Course Department: Philosophie
Instructor: Kaya Gizem
Instruction Language: German
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: