Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

True cultural & language immersion in Yaoundé Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/05/2018 to 06/02/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Yaoundé

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language skills and SO much about Cameroonian culture.

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

The director of the Middlebury program in Cameroon is incredible. She is so willing to help you do whatever you want to while you're there and has great connections for internships/mentors.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food is different but delicious and I would encourage all future students to try everything!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We had a doctor we could contact via whatsapp anytime.

* Safety:

I think people get nervous about the safety in Yaoundé but as long as you are prudent and responsible, there is no need to worry.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Absolutely. This was an incredible experience and I had so much fun. I learned a ton of French and made great friends.

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? less than $100

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

We all only spoke in French

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? FREN 230
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? actually follow the language pledge - it's amazing how much you learn even just speaking with friends in the program as long as it's always in French.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

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
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?
  • the independence we had
  • the flexibility of the middlebury program
  • the literature course
* What could be improved?
  • the field trip
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? people actually dress pretty nicely in Yaoundé and I brought kind of grubby clothes and felt bad about it.

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:

Francophone literature
Course Department:
Instructor: Ariane Ngabeau
Instruction Language: French
Comments: Ariane is a passionate about what she teaches! My speaking abilities and writing abilities really improved in this class as it was always 100% in French and she was strict about grammar.
Credit Transfer Issues: