Middlebury - C.V. Starr Schools Abroad

Spending five months in Paris was one of the most influential experiences I've had---Paris being the first time I have ever lived in a big city really set the bar high. I lived with a host family in the 13th arrondissement where I felt incredibly at home (with the whole city accessible through just a few metro lines) and had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in different cultures. Being able to take courses at a French institution really opened my eyes to a different country's education system, and allowed me to learn a lot while also making local friendships. Middlebury's program itself is really amazing. Having to live, study, and form relationships in a foreign language is not necessarily easy, but Midd provided tools and support needed to ensure our success. The connections that I've built, both to people and to Paris, are immeasurable.

Overall, the Middlebury Russian Intensive Language Program in Astana is well-organized and designed to help students improve their Russian. They provide a variety of different course subjects, including Russian grammar. The professors test our knowledge and give us opportunities to practice the language through various mediums such as: presentations, group work, writing tests, and reading and watching movies (as homework) then discussing them in class. Not only this, but the professors are extremely knowledgeable about their topics. They often encourage questions, and will gladly repeat themselves if need be. Shout out to Professor Yuliya K! I particularly enjoyed the information I learned in this class, and how she uses her substantive knowledge of Russian literature and culture to help us understand texts in ways we would have never thought of before.

I studied at Middlebury School in Jordan in the spring semester of 2025. I had spent the previous summer in Jordan with another great program, but my time at Middlebury was not only the most fun regarding the people involved and my ability to interact with local Jordanians, but also because I came in non-conversational and I left nearly fluent. Not just in that I had a larger vocabulary, but that I was able to speak and think in Arabic directly, without having to translate from English first. The program staff are amazing, the class sizes are great and the content feels relevant. There is the ability to choose which electives you want to take (depending on your level), and even those at a lower level felt that they were using the Arabic that they knew in applicable contexts. Although the language pledge was difficult at first, after a week of commitment to the process, it became easy. In addition to the amazing academic environment, my homestay family was also a key component to my advancement in Arabic. I come from an Arab background and it really felt like I had another Arab jidda (grandma) helping me the whole way. The program also connected us with local students at the University of Jordan who took us around Amman and genuinely became our close friends. One other quick note was that the trips that we took were amazing. Like I mentioned, I had been in Jordan for a couple months before, and the places that we went to with Middlebury were not only some of the crucial must-see spots but also some more niche spots that I felt very privileged to be able to go to that I wouldn't have found/been motivated to go to on my own. I think that the program did a good job of giving us enough out-of-class work to improve our skills without it being so much that we didn't have enough time to explore the city/country. I do think that the program would be best suited for someone who has some prior experience with the language (in fact, I think you have to have studied for at least two years??? dont quote me on that). I had studied Arabic for almost three years at that point, but most others had studied it for two (academic) years before starting. Would 1000/10 recommend this program to anyone wanting to improve their Arabic.

When I signed the language pledge on day one, I made a promise: only Chinese, all day, every day. Every character was a rep, every assignment a set, and I studied my way through coffee shops all over Beijing, rating each one out of five stars. My politics and business courses were taught entirely in Chinese, and my one-on-one research dug into modern dating and why so few young Chinese are having kids — answers I found by interviewing locals myself. The real growth, though, happened outside the classroom. I'd talk to anyone who would say hello — monks, aunties in the park, students in the library, a woman making tea in a Yunnan mountain village. Each conversation was a private lesson worth more than gold. I took the bullet train to Shanghai, biked around West Lake in Hangzhou, got lost in the tea mountains, played pick-up basketball with Tibetan and Uyghur students, and even talked my way into a free tour of Alibaba's headquarters after waiting at the gate for over an hour. Persistence works. By the end, my teachers said my Chinese was the most improved in the program. But the part I'll carry with me isn't a grade or a trip — it's that I loved who I was in China.

I had originally gone to the Middlebury CMRS program because I wanted to prove that I was better than anyone else; however, once I realized that there was more to Oxford than merely intelligence (after a prolonged period not going outside), this quickly fell by the wayside. To be surrounded by bookshelves that had their own horizons, maze-like streets you didn't mind getting lost within, and pubs galore to go have philosophical discussions whilst downing another Guinness, it's all a treat that I hope to take part in again. I grew as a result of the program, as I no longer feel as though I have to prove my worth to anyone. Instead, I only wish to grow as a means to become a better citizen of the world.

Living in Jordan was one of the most immersive and meaningful academic experiences I have had. From the start, I felt fully supported by the program and quickly adjusted to daily life in Amman. Living with a host family was a highlight, as it gave me constant opportunities to practice Arabic and experience Jordanian culture in an authentic way. The balance between coursework, language learning, and cultural engagement made the experience both challenging and rewarding. Overall, my time in Jordan greatly strengthened my Arabic and gave me a deeper appreciation for the region and its people.

I can’t put this semester into one paragraph—I think I have been pushed and challenged this semester into a lot of discomfort and confusion. I have been so humbled by my own ignorance and presuppositions. At the same time, I have never felt at home so quickly somewhere. Over the semester, I have come to love the things that made me so uncomfortable—chatting the taxi, bargaining at the market, meeting a stranger on the street and even eating water fufu. From an academic perspective, I have learned so much since being in Cameroon about different cultures and regions, about agriculture and the economy, about colonization and the corruption today that is still rooted in colonial oppression. I learned about a war in the western regions of Cameroon that I’d never heard about before and I got to visit political prisoners every week to learn even more about it. I got to sing in the car with my professor and I danced every week with my host mom at church. I ate so much food this semester, there were some days when I thought I’d never be hungry again. I met people from all around the world, and even a girl from my own small town in Ohio. Cameroon has made my world a little smaller, but it has made my vision of culture, language and relationship so much bigger.

Living in another country for 5 months will almost inevitably change your worldview. To me, the culture in Argentina feels much more balanced and centered around what is important. People really prioritize relationships and spending time with friends and family. Also, the baseline level of kindness, warmth, and welcoming here is equivalent to someone especially extroverted and caring in the US. Healthcare and education are free, which I already knew, but really changes the day to day interactions of being in the University (the attitude around studying, the diversity of students who have access to the classes, etc). I am excited to try to take back and maintain a little bit of this priority shift that I feel I have gained for the better while being here and how I interact with the people in my life.

I had an amazing time studying abroad with Middlebury in Paris. I decided to live with a host family, and my host mother was sweet, accomodating, and helped me improve my French a lot. I lived in Paris's 13th arrondisement, in Chinatown, and the experience of living in a part of the city I might have not thought to visit if I wasn't living there was super interesting. I loved finding hidden gems around my neighborhood and the city as a whole.Taking classes at Middlebury with the other American students was a helpful anchor to my experience as I navigated a lot of new experiences -- taking classes in my second language at a local university, traveling solo for the first time, and more.

The Middlebury in Jordan staff is extremely caring, thoughtful, and their attention to detail is remarkable. I felt very looked out for, especially when we had to relocate due to conflict in the middle of the semester. In general, the program pushes you to learn the most you can and it truly helps you integrate into Jordanian culture. I will forever be grateful for the friends, mentors, and family I gained throughout my semester. I also gained invaluable knowledge on the region as a whole and linguistic skills -- knowledge that I never learned in my schooling in the U.S.

I really enjoyed this program! I got to explore Kazakhstan, take interesting classes, and learn independence all while being fully immersed in the Russian Language. Going into this program, I already had an intermediate understanding of the Russian language, but I wanted to learn more about the Russian-speaking world. I found that Kazakhstan — typically unexplored by the average American study-abroad student —and, in particular, the program with Middlebury, were well-suited to my academic and personal goals. I got to work intimately with Kazakh students, learn about a previously unexplored culture, all while eating good food, celebrating important Kazakh holidays, and viewing breathtaking architecture (attached). For Russian-speaking students interested in furthering their academic career and being fully immersed, consider the program in Astana!

My study abroad in Cordoba helped me grow, pushed my boundaries, and highlighted the parts of my life that I deeply value. I was able to view the world through different perspectives and challenge my ideas of what normal was. Finding new ways in which I fit into communities that looked different from the ones I grew up around helped me find different parts of myself. The global variety of people I was able to meet, talk with, and form deep relationships with, helped me understand myself in brand new ways. Additionally, Spain has so many different places with their own distinct cultures, histories, and communities. Being able to explore the different parts of Spain enriched my study abroad beyond my experiences in Cordoba. Studying abroad completely transformed how I will approach new people and situations in the future and fueled my desire to learn more about the cultures, languages, and people that form the world.

I studied in Santiago with Middlebury in Chile, where I was fully immersed in urban Chilean culture while fostering lasting relationships within my program and having the freedom to explore interests, academic and professional alike. The curriculum was the best kind of challenging that pushed me to develop my personal agency, and my Spanish skills absolutely skyrocketed over the course of the semester. I absolutely loved the city of Santiago and its culture; the friendships I made with my cultural mentor, my host family, and the other Midd students were so special. Chile is truly such a welcoming and beautiful country, and I will be forever grateful for the way I was able to fully appreciate it and allow it to shape me and my worldview through immersion.

In my junior year, I had the opportunity to spend my fall semester studying in Tokyo with Middlebury College. Since I tested into the J5 level Japanese language class, I had the opportunity to take two classes with local students taught entirely in Japanese, challenging myself to not only comprehend lectures at a high language level but also communicate with my peers at a college level. Even though the campus was an hour away from Tokyo's center, the convenient public transportation made it very easy to go out into the city with friends. We even made outside of the prefecture to Saitama, Osaka, Tottori and more on breaks and weekends, exploring Japan while we could. I found that, through this program, we had a lot of space to immerse ourselves in Japan's vibrant and diverse culture and become a part of the city ourselves. Additionally, the program put an emphasis on sustainable development, which taught me how to be more environmentally aware and live sustainably. This instilled positive habits into my lifestyle, which I find myself still enforcing today even though I have returned to my home country. Overall, Middlebury's program gave me an amazing space to advance my Japanese language skills while exploring Tokyo as a city.

Kaohsiung is an artsy, digestible city, one that is filled with history and was a joy to explore every day. The teachers, director, Taiwanese peers and roommates, and other study abroad students laid the framework for the program, while Taiwan's vibrant culture and natural environment filled in the rest of my experience. Under the language pledge, I was able to make progress in my conversational and formal Mandarin skills. I took classes that challenged me intellectually, but were still a lot of fun, learning the most in my one-on-one tutorial, where I got to delve deep into a topic of my choice. I chose modern Chinese and Taiwanese literature as part of my preliminary research for my senior thesis, and learned more in one semester than I could ever have on my own. Aside from academics, I also spent plenty of time exploring Kaohsiung, the rest of Taiwan, and was even able to utilize some weekends and breaks in traveling internationally within Asia. Despite living in the city, we also spent a substantial amount of time interacting with nature. Our school campus was surrounded by both mountain and beach, and Taiwan as a whole has no shortage of natural scenery to take in. Sprawling rice fields, Formosan monkey colonies gathered on trees, fog descending on the mountain in the early morning: these images of Taiwan have been truly unforgettable. The highlight of my time in Taiwan was of course the food. I ate a variety of Taiwanese dishes (even stinky tofu!), had a wide variety of desserts (108 cups of bubble tea...), and laughed with friends over meals every day. If I had the chance to study in Taiwan again, I would take it in a heartbeat. Studying abroad with Middlebury C.V. Starr Schools Abroad in Kaohsiung was one of the best decisions I have made in my life!

This past school year I took both semesters to study abroad in Jordan with Middlebury. While I had heard incredible things about both the program and Jordan itself, my expectations were far surpassed. This is the best work team I could imagine and supportive through everything from health issues, daily transitions, language challenges, regional conflict. I couldn’t be more grateful. I have never seen a team work so well together and create such an incredible program through attention to detail, love of students, and passion for language immersion. My arabic has exponentially improved and I was given endless opportunities to interact with daily local life creating lifelong friendships, connections, and job/volunteer experiences.

Living in Paris was an expansive experience. It challenged me in a lot of ways, and helped me grow because of it. Paris is such a beautiful city, with spectacles and beautiful architecture and people and a moving, dynamic current. There's always something to do, someone to see. It’s city to get lost in and find yourself again. It’s a city designed for people, for connection, for community. If I could, I'd do it all over again. The Middlebury Program is a great way to immerse yourself. With a host family, and a balance of local and program-led classes, and a lot of independence, you are sure to find yourself getting to know a great city. I found the language support really helpful, and I was able to meet a bunch of people, either local or through the program or through different study abroad schools. I’m really grateful for the opportunity it gave me.

My time at Middlebury CMRS was really rewarding. Adjusting to a new academic environment and system was definitely intimidating at first, but I grew to really appreciate the change, especially because of how much it pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Until coming to this program, I didn't realize how quickly I could read and write, and that helped me overcome intellectual/academic perfectionism. The tutorial system was definitely difficult and lots of work, but it felt really good to be taken so intellectually seriously by Oxford tutors, and the system also allowed me to create strong relationships with each of my tutors. By the end, I felt very proud of myself for taking on such a difficult course/workload and realizing that I could still keep up and do well. It built my intellectual confidence and also allowed me to meet some really wonderful people and create some really cool experiences and memories.

Overall my experience at CET Janterm and Middlebury in Beijing was very rewarding, albeit academically stressful. The CET program offered the biggest improvements to my Chinese I have ever had in such a short time. However, I was not nearly as physically and mentally healthy as I am normally. The Middlebury in Beijing program was similar but less extreme as it was spaced out over several months. The cultural activities organized by the program were wonderful and allowed me a very full experience in China, from going to various museums, the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall etc. Also, the study trip to Hangzhou was a major highlight. Also, it was not the experience of everyone, but in my experience I had a great roommate pairing and great interactions with the local students, they helped us to adjust and integrate into their communities.

I was very pleased to see that Middlebury in Beijing was incredibly helpful in making sure that I had the opportunity to study the things I was interested in. My topics were not particularly beginner friendly, most of them had a lot to do with Classical Chinese, however the professors at MiB went above and beyond to create a learning environment that supported my interests at my pace and language level. I will always be grateful for the knowledge and experiences I had during this program!

One of the best parts of my study abroad experience was my homestay. They made sure I had everything I needed and were committed to helping me learn Arabic. They would help me with my homework and provide me with different opportunities to practice my language skills at home.

I lived with a host family during my time in Madrid with Middlebury College. It was amazing and I loved my host family. They cooked the best meals and cared a lot about me. I still am in contact with them. :) As much as it was challenging, the grammar class helped me perfect my Spanish whereas, in the other classes, I was using my Spanish and learning about a variety of subjects. These courses were very interesting and gave us the chance to immerse ourselves more in Spanish Culture with classes on the anthropology of Spain, literature and art of Spain, Arte del Museo del Prado, and more. Most importantly, I improved my Spanish so much and feel so comfortable in it. I loved this program and would have stayed for a second semester if I could!

Middlebury will take your language skills to the next level and vastly improve them. By only speaking Arabic through the Language Pledge, I began to understand the nuances that full immersion can help with, making unforgettable cultural connections with people. The professors were incredible and supportive during all steps of the journey, and challenging myself daily helped me reach new heights with Arabic. The staff were kind and planned many events for us to attend and participate in while also giving us the freedom to explore on our own. I loved my host family, who truly exemplified Jordanian hospitality and treated me like I was part of their circle from the beginning. It is hard to not fall in love with Jordan, and Middlebury is the perfect backdrop for the journey.

I originally applied to the Middlebury School in Florence for one semester. However, after two weeks in Italy, I loved it so much that I decided to stay for the entire year. Middlebury's approach to language immersion is challenging, but it also pushed me to build a life in Florence outside of the study abroad bubble. Whether I was enrolling in courses at the University of Florence or moving in with an Italian friend I met first semester, this program gave me the freedom to create the study abroad experience that I wanted. Middlebury is the reason I left Florence with fluency and friendships that I will keep for the rest of my life.

Participating in this program will forever be one of the best decisions I've ever made. The administration and staff were incredibly responsive to the students' concerns and helped us immerse ourselves into both a new country and intimidating academic environment. The professors they recruited to teach us were also wonderfully knowledgeable and kind; my writing grew significantly under the author Rebecca Gowers and my knowledge of Shakespeare was put into fun twists with Dr. Juliana Dresvina. Apart from the academics, it was invigorating to spend an entire semester with a cohort of students who were just as excited as I was to experience Oxford, learn, and do life together for a little bit (i.e. Thanksgiving dinner, birthday parties, pubbing, shows, traveling). I've come away with a greater understanding of English and history, a group of friends I am so proud to know, and a newfound confidence in my academic and social abilities.

I had an incredible semester in Bordeaux with the Middlebury Schools Abroad. I think the highlight of my 4 months there was living with my host family, they were so supportive and helpful with any questions I had about life in Bordeaux. I loved having the freedom to explore this new city on my own and with friends from the program and other international students. The French university system is very different from the United States so it definitely took some getting used to, but other than that it was so interested to learn in a new environment.

I really loved Bordeaux throughout my experience there! The size of the city was perfect for me, not too big and overwhelming, but still offered new and different activities to do each weekend. The bordelaise people were always kind and understanding, and especially respected the fact that I wanted to practice my French - even though they could tell I was American. Living with my host family was part of what made my experience so special; they were always pushing me to try typical French foods, learn local slang, explore new corners of the city, and they would check up on me every night at dinner. I felt a lot of freedom and independence in Bordeaux which allowed me to be myself at all times, and especially allowed me to delve into the culture enthusiastically. I would recommend Bordeaux to anyone learning French!

I had a wonderful experience at Middlebury's Paris program. It offered the perfect mix of independence and support. By living in a foyer, I was able to make French friends, one of whom even visited me back at Middlebury this fall. As the only American in my residence hall, I was completely immersed in French language and culture. The direct-enrollment classes at a local university and my internship also permitted me to get a sense of what daily life is like for a real French student. At the same time, however, I was incredibly well supported by Middlebury staff. I took a great class on French politics at the Middlebury center that was accompanied by outings in the city to see a play and a film related to course material. I also enjoyed Middlebury's cultural offerings, including trips to the opera, a wine and cheese night, and an overnight trip to Normandie. Overall, Midd's Paris program presents the ideal combination of freedom to explore French life and the structural supported needed as a new international student in a big city.

I knew that this program would be academically challenging when I signed up. It definitely lived up to that reputation. However, if you are able to stay on task and complete your assignments (and they don't have to be the best papers you've ever written), then I think anyone (no matter what subject you study) can learn a ton. I think the program certainly made me a better student, and to be completely honest, after completing CMRS, being back at my home university feels much easier. Unfortunately, in terms of cultural exchange and integration, there isn't really a lot. Because of the way the tutorials are structured, you don't get to meet Oxford students. The seminar course is the only course you take with other students (but they are your peers from CMRS). The only way I met Oxford students was through joining clubs. It's awesome to live in Oxford, and St. Michael's Hall is right in city center, so you really do get a feel for the city over the duration of the program. If you want to really feel that "cultural exchange" you have to go out and seek those experiences for yourself - CMRS does not do this for you. I found that most weekends I would go out with friends from CMRS, and we would go to the pub or one of the clubs. That was quite fun. Something to take into consideration is that this program doesn't give you time to travel. So while the program was happening, I was not able to travel very far. I did travel to nearby cities, but even that was time consuming and tiring. Because the program is so demanding, you become very protective of your time, and that makes traveling quite difficult. There was one "break" we had, which turned out to be basically just a long weekend (it was four days or so). During this time I was able to go on a 4-day trip about 4 hours from Oxford with some friends from the program. I wished that break was longer. Apart from that break, you really end up doing all of your traveling after the program ends. Overall, I had a great time. I started some good friendships. I definitely worked hard on academically. In the moment it can feel like "why did I sign up for this," but after you've completed the program you feel so proud of yourself. I think it's a great program for students who want to have a challenging study abroad experience that they'll look back on with pride.

Covid-19 was a limiting factor in my experience; however, if Middlebury is one thing it is resilient, and if I could say one thing for Italy, it’s that it’s devine. Regardless of the unprecedented circumstances that masked my experience both literally and metaphorically, I can say that the Italian ruins were still marvels incorporated into modern cities and the charm of local Italians persevered in instilling a wonderful personable experience. “Un buon cibo sempre biologico ed una momma di ospite piacevole” were the height of the experience which turned what was once a romanticized dream into “una memoria dolce.”

Puerto Rico both stimulated my intellectual curiosity and cultural appreciation yet graced my days with a sun-kissed Caribbean glow, face full of sand, and belly full of “fritura.” The layered cultural elements of the island are scattered, evident in an intoxicating “recorrido” through the colonial remnants of San Juan and the contemporary Latinx flare with hints of American cultivation. As a frequent visitor thanks to my Boricua pedigree, I can attest to Puerto Rico being the domestic destination with an abroad feel, friendly locals, evergreen mountains, turquoise beaches, and vibrant night life. I can give no higher recommendation — hop on a flight to “la isla del encanto” now!!

This program is not the typical study abroad program that you might imagine, with lots of US students hanging out and partying abroad. The language pledge, small group size, and minimal Middlebury programming pretty much forces the students to sink or swim in Buenos Aires. This made it tough for the first month or so, and it would have been helpful to have more programming and support in those early days. However, by the end of the program, all of us had found a community in Buenos Aires. It definitely felt like a more authentic experience, and my Spanish improved a ton because of the language pledge and making close friends with locals. So, I would say it definitely requires maturity and self-sufficiency, but if you do the work to integrate yourself into the community, it's incredibly worthwhile. If you are looking for a more cushy, gentle experience, this is not the program.

I felt very welcomed and at-home even before I arrived. After meeting the staff from Middlebury abroad in Argentina, I had all my questions answered, was provided with very useful information, and most importantly, was able to see many familiar faces upon arrival. My placement with a host family worked out splendidly; I still keep in contact with my Argentinian family and friends. I have met so many people that are special to me and have had multiple opportunities to connect with others in school, volunteer work, family activities, and personal hobbies. Argentina has a very rich and diverse culture: I learned something new every day, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience overall.

Going abroad was a one in a lifetime opportunity to visit another country and be able to travel the world. I was able to visit over ten different cities in different countries for the first time. The support from the faculty was great for managing academics, the nightlife was amazing, and the city of Madrid is absolutely stunning. While courses can seem limiting, there is a lot of creative freedom within them. I would recommend, just make sure you brush up on your Spanish.

First, I had a fantastic time in Berlin. After living there for two semesters, it is my favorite city in the world. But I am unsure to what extent this is due to the program. First, I was put into student housing. In some ways, Middlebury Students are quite privileged because student housing typically has long waitlists, and finding an apartment is near impossible (even if you are willing to pay a lot). The housing situation is fine. It is a little far from the cool parts of Berlin (about 20-25 minutes) and depending on who you are living with, people can be a little dirty in the shared kitchen. But given the unfortunate realities of the housing market currently, having a room is better than no room. Moreover, I was not a Middlebury Student, so I was required to arrive early in order to enroll in a language course at GLS Berlin, which is one hour away on public transit from the program-provided housing. GLS is an amazing language school in a cool neighborhood (Prenzlauer Berg), I just wish I lived closer to enjoy the social opportunities! While this was only a temporary arrangement, having to commute so far on a daily basis was still a pain. Next, the program is usually quite small, given the specific nature of the Immersion Program. There were maximum six students in Berlin in one semester. This made social life difficult at times, and is different from many other programs that sometimes have hundreds of students from American Colleges and Universities to mingle with. However, I was able to meet people eventually, but the program does not necessarily provide robust social opportunities given the small amount of students. In the first semester I was there, I thought that academic expectations were clearly communicated, and that they had a strong ability to manage administrative tasks (visas, etc.). The staff are very invested in your wellbeing, sometimes to an overwhelming extent, but I think that is for the best. There were some miscommunications around deadlines in my second semester that were sometimes frustrating, that at the time were very stressful to deal with, but of course, I ended up being fine in the end. I would say one should only do this program if you are ready to live in a new, sometimes daunting city by yourself, because that is effectively what you are doing. Knowing that staff were there for safety needs did provide a great sense of security, but they really give you a tremendous amount of independence. The downside of this, of course, is that you need to try really hard to make friends for yourself given the small amount of people on the program. If you think that you could thrive in such an environment, I would really encourage you to do so.

From the moment I arrived in Buenos Aires for my semester abroad, I was immersed in its rich cultural tapestry, caring and generous people, and ever-changing atmosphere. Academically, Middlebury's program provided an immersive language learning environment. The intensive language courses were challenging yet rewarding, helping me improve my Spanish proficiency and gain a deeper understanding of Argentine culture and history. The faculty, including Liria, Claudio, and María Marta, quickly established themselves as family - they shined with porteño pride, eager to share their beloved city with the abroad students, and encouraging diverse interactive learning that extended beyond the classroom. Living with a host family allowed me to immerse myself in the local way of life fully. Sharing daily meals and conversations with my host sister provided insights into Argentine customs and culture. Exploring Buenos Aires' neighborhoods and spending each day in my local park (Parque Centenario) became a cherished routine I sincerely miss. The Middlebury CV Starr study abroad program also allowed me to take classes at the prestigious local public university - UBA - where I met and studied alongside locals of all ages and backgrounds, and received support to conduct ethnographic research for my senior thesis, which I proceeded to publish the following semester. This abroad program not only bolstered my academic capacities but also encouraged personal growth. The exposure to a different way of life (a new city, a new language, and many new cultures and customs) improved my adaptability and global perspective. This semester was more than an academic endeavor and more than just a semester abroad- it was an adventure that permanently shifted my worldview.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Madrid, and also liked the experience of the Middlebury program. Those in charge of the Middlebury program were some of the most welcoming and kind people I have ever met. I do believe the program was very rigorous and demanding in terms of schoolwork, requirements, and grading. Their cultural engagement opportunities were amazing, and my time in Madrid was made better due to the Middlebury program

I had the best time during my study abroad experience in Paris. I learned so much about the language, culture, food, history, art, and about the city itself. I fully immersed myself in the French language by directly enrolling into a Parisian University as an international student, where I studied French and Comparative Literatures. I also enjoyed my classes at the Middlebury Center, where I improved my grammar skills, informal French speaking, and knowledge about the way politics and society function in France and in the EU. I also made life-long friends while at the center, and I connected with people from so many backgrounds. Finally, my favorite part of this experience was being able to explore new parts of the city each and every day. I got to know Paris from a local's perspective and found my favorite quartiers away from the crowds. I discovered small art galleries and museums. I also ate the best pastries and foreign cuisines of my entire life. This was truly a life-changing experience.

In a word, Paris was unforgettable. I learned to live in a city by myself, I learned to get lost, I learned to navigate challenging social situations, I learned how to live outside my comfort zone. Whether it was the improvement in my language skills, my newfound confidence in making friends, or all the museums, restaurants, and places that I got to see, Study Abroad was one of the best things I have ever done.

My experience with Middlebury in Paris was excellent. It is clearly a program that knows what it is doing and how to effectively run an abroad program, through academics and student support. There was a wide array of people working at the Middlebury center, each of whom I felt I could go to with different concerns, and all of whom were deeply connected to many resources around the city. There were definitely moments of crisis and anxiety, but we were given the proper resources most of the time to deal with the issues.

Studying abroad in Chile was a wonderful and eye-opening experience. It was beautiful because I got to meet so many new people and learn so much from different cultural experiences. But it was also challenging in some ways. Going abroad really requires you to step out of your comfort zone and engage with a different environment. It was scary at first, but it's such a fulfilling and exciting experience. After going to Santiago, Chile, I understood the importance of getting out of your bubble and seeing what's out there. I'm so glad I had this opportunity and I would recommend it to everyone!

In the fall of 2022, I attended the Middlebury Schools Abroad program in Santiago de Chile. I lived with a wonderful host family with whom I remain in contact to this day. I made life-long friends and have gone back to Chile since my Middlebury semester to conduct academic research through my university. My time in Chile profoundly impacted me and changed my life for the better. The Middlebury Staff provided me with amazing opportunities, like an internship at a human rights organization. They also helped me enroll in interesting classes at Universidad Alberto Hurtado (i.e., museums of Santiago and their histories, lingüistic anthropology). My classmates were welcoming and excited to have an exchange student in class. It was hard to integrate into social circles at the beginning, but after putting myself out there a lot and asking a bunch of questions (you have to be outgoing), I made great friends. I liked my study-abroad cohort peers a lot, but I was primarily friends with Chilean people I met at school, the skate park, or a cultural event. I didn't really spend time with other Americans, which helped me improve my language skills significantly. The language pledge, which sets Middlebury apart from other study-abroad programs, was also great. Everyone in my cohort got noticeably better at Spanish throughout the program. I really appreciated all of the staff's commitment to helping students learn about Chilean history so that our time abroad was grounded in knowledge of and respect for the place we were living. I wish we had had more cultural outings in Santiago and Valparaiso because I learned a lot from the ones we did have, especially our trip to the national cemetery in Recoleta and the Museo de Memoria y derechos humanos. However, we did get to go on an incredible trip to Torres del Paine in Patagonia! While the academics were engaging, my university spent a lot of time on strike, so I didn't attend as many classes as I usually do in the US. Because of that, school was not the center of my life. I found my friendships, going to skate parks, visiting museums, taking hikes, wandering around the city, etc., to be super fulfilling. Studying abroad can be a lot of fun, but it can also be lonely and challenging. Santiago is a big city, and you have to put in effort to make plans with people to coordinate travel time. Sometimes, I felt isolated because of that. I leaned on my host mom and the program heads for support when I needed it. I loved my study-abroad experience. Shoutout to Juan, Lindsay, and Paulina!

I had a tough time adjusting to life abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I felt overwhelmed at most steps in the early process. It was frustrating to feel incompetent at every small aspect of life while I was getting used to the language switch. In my opinion, you can't prepare enough to experience language immersion for the first time. It is difficult, but once I got through the initial frustration it became easy to interact and live my life in Spanish. Academics in Buenos Aires were difficult, but not due to the language. Argentinians value rigorous education and it is a different style from that which I was used to in the US. Once I got over the initial difficulties, I had a really enjoyable time. Buenos Aires is a vibrant, fun city full of amazing people and activities. Argentina outside of Buenos Aires has stunning biodiversity and brilliant sight-seeing, hiking, and swimming opportunities. It is vital to travel to other parts of the country while you're there!

I had a really wonderful timing during my semester studying abroad at SciencesPo Bordeaux with Middlebury's School in France. I chose Bordeaux because I wanted to study in a city other than the capital of a country. I felt it would be a more immersive experience, a more manageable city to explore during one semester, and perhaps even a little less expensive with respect to day to day spending than Paris. I also wanted a very immersive experience so I chose to live with a host family and commit to eating most of my meals with them. My host family was one of, if not the, most impactful parts of my stay in France. They were incredibly welcoming -- I was treated like part of the family from the day I arrived. Our dinner time conversations and weekends spent together were the most instrumental part of my French improvement. I also loved my time at Sciences Po Bordeaux. The academics were rigorous -- I had to put in time and care into my classes and school work -- and I learned a great deal. I made friends at the local university and participated in various outings and events (a wine gala and an overnight backpacking trip in the Pyrenees mountains). I so enjoyed France that I returned for an internship in Paris the following summer and have declared a French major.

The program at M-CMRS is well organized to help students adapt and thrive in a new environment. During my semester at CMRS I found the challenge of the tutorial system to be fulfilling and exciting as I learned new skills in research methods, literary analysis, and in-depth note taking. The fast-paced format of the classes pushed my limits and helped me develop and become more comfortable with my writing process. The staff members at CMRS are very helpful and are dedicated to the success of each student. Their interest surpassed academic advisement and they were deeply aware of each student’s mental and physical wellness. The CMRS program is perfectly structured to enable students to experience all parts of Oxford student life. The location is right in the heart of Oxford and makes interaction with the greater population quite easy. Social events were frequent both within CMRS and at Keble and the other Oxford schools. I would recommend the CMRS program to anyone interested who is passionate about Medieval and literature studies as well as anyone interested in experiencing the Oxford system. Overall a very valuable experience.

I had a great experience in Paris on the whole. I enjoyed my classes, the close proximity with native French speakers, and the opportunity to immerse myself in a city and country with such a rich history and culture. At times it was hard to find community because of the nature of being in a foreign city, but generally, these moments are compensated by the fact that there is so much to do and discover in Paris.

I was overall satisfied with this program and all the negative experience are mostly my own fault. Let me start with the negatives and have a happy ending instead. 1. It is harder to make friends with Russians but once you make friends, they are going to be really good friends. The professors might announce your presence in the mainstream course, so be prepared for that but mostly, it will earn you only glances in your direction. To make friends, you need to start talking to people, introducing yourself, and if you find someone who's open to meeting up with you, then meet up with them! I made two friends that way in my spring semester. 2. Your experience will depend on the group dynamic and since you're going to be spending much time with the people in the program, do try to get along or else group hang outs can turn tense quick. I had a hard time coping sometimes because I did not have the support network I needed but that was mostly my own fault, so find something that you love doing and do it! 3. Moscow is an expensive city, so take advantage of financial aid and grants from programs like Boren or Gilman. On to the positive aspects of the program: 1. So much travel! I appreciate this aspect very much. We traveled all over Moscow and we visited St. Petersburg, Tatarstan (Republic), Ekaterinburg, and Suzdal. Other programs usually do not have this much travel! You will see just why Russia considers herself to be a Eurasian country with Slavic, Christian, Muslim, Turkic, Asian, and European people's living in this huge country. 2. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. We have bugged them constantly every day and night with questions and they are always there to facilitate and to assist. No complaints about it from me. 3. Just like anywhere, your professors going to be good or bad. Professor Trufanova is engaging and great, so I recommend taking a mainstream course with her if you can. I would also recommend taking courses in the Higher School of Economics to get a different experience and meet different people. That school differs slightly from the RGGU, so don't hesitate to take classes there. 4. Although the classes could be in separate campuses throughout the city, the metro is amazing, so don't fear. Just know that you will have to commute quite a bit if you decide to get out of your comfort zone (staying within RGGU).

I think that Córdoba is probably Middlebury College's most underrated study abroad program in Spain. Generally only a few students in the program decide to study in Córdoba, but I think that this program provides one of the most language immersive and culturally rich study abroad experiences. The Universidad de Córdoba offers a wide variety of classes, including some specifically about the city and its landmarks. These courses allowed me not only to fine tune my language schools but also to learn about the city I was living in. All of my classmates and roommates were warm and inclusive. Although Córdoba is a relatively small city there are lots of places to explore. I found some of my favorite bars, restaurants and cafes when I got lost wandering through the winding streets of the city. I would most definitely suggest Córdoba to anyone who wants to study abroad in a true Spanish city.

I came to Spain principally because I wanted to become fluent in Spanish. And, to a certain degree, I did achieve that goal (as in I can now understand most of what the Spanish-speakers in the US are saying on the street and can communicate with them at a reasonable pace though I'm obviously still somewhat slow). You can't help but become immersed in the language because Córdoba is not that big a city, and it's also gorgeous and full of fantastic art and history. I do wish the program administration had an active base within the city, because they were all located in Madrid so it kind of felt like we were on our own after orientation (though the directors did visit us from time to time to catch up). We also had to find our own housing once we got there (though with the aid of a native Cordovan contracted by Middlebury) and I ended up with an awful living situation because the landlord wasn't completely honest when I signed the lease. But it is a great real-world experience, and if you're passionate about art history (especially Islamic art and architecture), definitely worth considering.

The Middlebury School in Madrid was an awesome experience. The school was very well run and professors were great. Middlebury worked hard to make the transition from a US classroom to a Spanish one very easy and I had a great time.

Middlebury's Language Pledge combined with studying at a Spanish University is optimal if your goal is to live, learn and connect in Spanish. You take a pledge to only speak Spanish during the duration of your study abroad experience. You take three classes at UC3M (the abbreviated name for Carlos III), and one intensive language course at "la sede" (Sede Prim - the Middlebury school in Madrid). I lived near Atocha station, the largest train station in Madrid that connects you to all lines of the Cercanias, the AVE, and a number of metro stops. My apartment was a 30-minute walk to the Middlebury School and a 5- to 10-minute walk to the train station that would take me to Getafe 3-4 days a week. I loved getting to know Spanish students in my classes. I took one first year course on 20th century history of Spain and two third year courses in sociology. The students in the first-year course were younger than me (18-19), and the age difference made it a bit difficult to connect, but many of them expressed to me that it was exciting to meet an American who could speak Spanish. I really connected with the students in my third year sociology courses. Many of them took both courses with me - one on family and gender in Spain and the other on society and the environment. We often did group projects together, and they really helped me improve my Spanish - from talking in person to chatting via What'sApp or speaking on the phone. We spent time together outside of class around the small town of Getafe and got together every so often in Madrid. The only downfall of this program was the commute. I didn't really enjoy having to split my time between Madrid and Getafe. Taking the train was a good way to get some reading in or finish up an assignment on the way to class, and there is a train that takes you to Getafe directly outside of the Middlebury School (extremely convenient!). I just had to get used to the train schedule. Having a 3- to 4-hour break between two classes on Tuesday or Thursday meant that I stayed on the campus and did homework (great for getting homework done), but sometimes I felt confined. There is a great gym on the UC3M campus, and many students paid for a membership so that they could work-out during a break before, after or between classes. I had one closer to my apartment that was cheaper though. I liked the fact that we had to take a language course at the Middlebury School. It is in the Chueca neighborhood, near many quaint cafés and great restaurants. It's just north of the center of the city, la Puerta del Sol, which is a great place for tourism. The language course helped me maintain my connection with the Middlebury headquarters, the other students at the Middlebury program, and all the resources and help offered by the amazing staff there. Patricia (the director) was extremely helpful in helping me select my coursework. Lena helped me with all things related to technology and my visa paperwork. Teruca (Teresa) was awesome with helping me navigate interesting social dynamics and helping me secure an internship for the spring. Marta was amazing in connecting me with all the different cultural activities and travel opportunities in the area (and really helped me improve my Spanish). Laura helped with housing and setting up the different Middlebury events for the program. I lived with four Spaniards - a guy from Valencia, a girl from the Basque Country, a guy from Italy (who spoke Spanish fluently and was doing his master's in Sports Journalism at UC3M), and a guy from Galicia. We called ourselves "la familia de la Charidad", a play on words (caridad = charity, and our landlady's name was Charo). The name speaks to the kindness and warmth that our landlady showed towards us, and the affection we had for the group living there. I was extremely lucky to live with these people. Laura had this apartment on her list from previous years. After seeing the apartment and meeting the tenants, 4 of us drew straws to see who got to live there, and I won. I highly encourage other students not to settle for an apartment without Spanish housemates. Ideally, if you want to learn Spanish, you will be living with people who only speak Spanish. My housemates were all older than me (26-32), and it was the perfect age range. We all really got along. It was vital for my connection to Spanish culture. I learned how to cook Spanish food and would cook meals and invite friends over often. My favorite resource through the Middlebury HQ was the language exchange (intercambio) program. I met up with a guy from Getafe once a week (we usually alternated between meeting in Getafe and Madrid), a girl who lived right down the street from me, and a girl from Majadahonda, a suburb of Madrid. I became really close with all three of them and still Skype with them every month or two. Having class with Spanish students at a Spanish university, participating in the language exchange program, and living with Spaniards were the most important factors that contributed to my linguistic growth in the Spanish language, but more than that, those were the lasting connections that made my experience unforgettable (and really hard to say goodbye). Potential Improvements: I think the office has already improved this, but when I was there, the housing hunt was very difficult because we were all staying in hotels or hostels until we found an apartment, and there weren't many apartments that were ideal. It is hard to find housing in Madrid, especially when it is really hot and you're wandering around a city you don't know yet with a group of Americans who are also somewhat lost. They had Spanish assistants that knew the area and helped us find the apartments, but it'd be great if the program could find a way to make a larger, more organized list of the housing options available a few days before all the students arrived. It was very stressful because it is such a crucial part of the experience. A home-stay option is worth looking into. They offer that and have a list of people they have done home-shares with in the past. I'd say that idealista is your best friend, but never, ever sign a contract until you've seen the apartment in person!!