One of the best decisions I've ever made!! Past Review
By Julie Loudon (Spring Arbor University) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
Accès: Strasbourg - Accès Classique: Semester Study Abroad
Definitely worthwhile. Would do it again in a heartbeat! I made some really great friends, & I gained a clearer image of what I want to do later in life.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Learned a lot in class, and the professors were great! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Alex & his family are amazing; they make you feel welcome and do a great job getting to know you! They planned great excursions, helped us adjust to life in France, and encouraged us in our French. So kind and so fun, get to know them! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved living in Petite France; the housing was traditional, beautiful, and homey. Was a little difficult at first being a part of a large family, but after getting to know them better, it was great! Really helped me to better understand the culture and improve my French. |
| * Food: |
So good! Baguettes :) Eat as many crêpes as possible! Be open to trying new food (even if there is pig foot in it)! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Pretty well, though I wish we had gotten to know more French students on campus...our classes were with all international students (that i loved & made some good friends with), but I wish we could've gotten to know some of the French students our age as well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Didn't really have any health problems, but Alex & my host family made sure I knew that they were there to help if I needed anything! |
| * Safety: |
Really safe, especially for a city of it's size! Still be careful and smart, though. Biking was a really good way to get around, and the tram is easy to access as well. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program is well-organized, helpful, and led by a great director! They helped me feel at home, and having the small, tight-knit group was a great aspect of the program. This program felt like a family to me (both those in charge of the program and the other students), which made it extra hard to leave! |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of the student discount for certain events. Don't overspend at the beginning cuz then you'll be more limited towards the end and can't keep going on all the trips you want to go on! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Encouraged us to use it all the time (with them, around the city, with our host families), which was great! Helped us better learn the language! Were also understanding when we felt the need to explain something in English. |
| 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? | A 200-level University course |
| 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? | Keep using it - you may make mistakes, but everyone does, and that's how you learn best! People will appreciate that you're speaking to them in French, and you'll pick up on cultural phrases that you wouldn't learn from a textbook. Avoid using English too much, especially when in a group with English-speaking friends. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | You think you need all the clothes you're packing...but you actually don't. Time will fly by WAY faster than you think, so make the most of 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 Academic or LinguistYou 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! |
