Rivendell: the Good, the Bad, and the Vegetarian

Ratings
Overall
5
Academics: 5
Support: 3
Fun: 5
Housing: 4
Safety: 3
Review

Rivendell was my number one choice for my fantasy study abroad year. Who in their right mind would not want to be surrounded by gorgeous beings who are not ageist? Plus, Rivendell is by turns a delightful forest and a tropical paradise filled with waterfalls. I got the best of both worlds and I was able to expand my horticulturalist knowledge.

The highlights were language immersion, lessons in Elvish architecture, and nightly poetry recitations featuring the estimable Bilbo Baggins. Their library was beyond compare and I cannot even begin to convey how mind-blowing it was to take equestrian lessons with Glorfindel. Plus, watching Elrond flood the River Bruinen was pretty spectacular.

The main drawback of the program was frankly how aloof the Rivendell elves could be. I understand that they are beings of immense age, knowledge, and beauty, but there was no call for them to be so formal all the time. It made it a little hard to cut loose and enjoy myself, as I heard others did during their time at the Hobbiton site.

They also had a disconcerting habit of falling silent and staring intently at each other. I presume their were communicating telepathically but, honestly, it just looked like an impromptu staring contest.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the elves and you cannot beat the price of the program. All they needed was for my life to be in mortal danger so that they could rescue me and give me succor. I just had to put myself in the way of some ringwraiths near Rivendell et voila!

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would