Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An unforgettable experience Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/04/2017 to 05/25/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury In Rabat, Morocco

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
There are honestly too many things to type up. My biggest takeaway is that the world is wider than you can imagine, and that with a little effort and extroversion you can discover things and people that will undoubtedly teach you in ways that no school or institutional can. The experience was 100% 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.

* 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

While the most significant benefits from this experience came from my time spent outside the program, the program did just about everything it was supposed to do, and more. They provided a close-to-ideal learning environment, trips to various regions of the country, and a friendly community that helped ease the repetition of going to the center every day.

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? 1st semester = 200 MAD, 2nd = 600 MAD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to keep track of your expenses; everything is cheaper that in the US, but it is still very easy to spend all your money without realizing it.

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? Arabic 202
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? Try to avoid English-speakers, whether they be Moroccan or American. Don't be shy; people will understand that you are learning the language. Lastly, be sure to get out as much as you can; the more time you spend in your room, the less time you are giving yourself to discover the country and learn Arabic.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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 independence
  • The personalities of faculty members
  • The accessibility and friendliness of the directors
* What could be improved?
  • The workload could be reduced slightly
  • The dispersion of extra-curricular activities across the semester
  • The approach to the language pledge
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Much of the benefit was having expectations broken and discovery of the previously-unknown, so I don't think there is anything else I would have liked to know ahead of time.

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:

Modern Standard Arabic 301
Course Department: Arabic
Instructor: Najat Kriiba
Instruction Language: Arabic
Comments: I have already completed course evaluations for all the courses that I took during the program.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a