Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Ekie! July 20, 2022

By (French, Connecticut College) - abroad from 01/11/2022 to 06/02/2022 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Yaoundé

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language growth, personal growth, academic growth, cultural sensitivity

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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:

Coming from a vegetarian, it is hard for my host family to provide food for me. Did they try? Veritably. They did try and I appreciate. They always do try to make something like rice or pasta for me. What I’ve realized is that despite their best efforts, because the family must also make food for themselves, thus they aren’t able to be my personal chef. Now, I would say however, it is important that you find something that family can cook for you. Despite even my friends listing simple one piece or two piece dishes or simple items, families would not make their food. I think that since we’re paying for food and lodging and the situation with food is difficult, we should pay less.

* 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

If you’re a student and you’re thinking of france. Stop. Stop. It’s really not what you need. In this day and age, if you are considering france purely our of nostalgia, please please reconsider. You have seen so many films about it, but let me fill in what you have been missing about Cameroon that you need to know. Basically, in a nutshell, Cameroon is more friendly, cheaper, more linguistically and culturally diverse, warmer, and not the west.

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? $16

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 400 level or highest level
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? With this program. You can’t speak English. You literally…can’t.

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
  • 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?
  • Language
  • Voyage d’études(school travel)
  • The professors
* What could be improved?
  • Food in the housing situation
  • More transparency on courses that are offered at the local university because it can seriously mess up your college credits
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing

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!