Food, Friends, and French! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were all taught in French, so I was constantly learning more about the language itself while studying the subject material for different classes. I had just the right amount of homework for me to get helpful at-home practice and study, but not at the expense of being able to experience other educational things outside of the classroom and enjoy the adventure of living in a foreign country.

On-site administration of your program

Miranda, the Resident Director, is a helpful, hilarious British woman who has been living in France for 10+ years. She is very knowledgeable about French culture and history and one could say almost too experienced when it comes to the crazy things that we students encounter during our time abroad. AIFS and the students who pass through her program are so fortunate to have her.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

AIFS Grenoble students are all placed into host families. My family was absolutely fantastic and I can't imagine my time abroad without them. They were caring, helpful, and fun and really made me feel like part of the family during my time there. We are still in touch and hoping that sometime during the next couple years, I'll be able to return the favor and they can come stay at my home in the U.S.!

I was in France. No more must be said. (But I'll say more anyway!) The food was incredible. I think that 95% of the food that my host family prepared for normal, everyday meals should have been on the menu in a restaurant. For lunch, it was easy to find affordable sandwiches at the tram stops downtown on your way to or from classes, and the meals at the campus cafeteria weren't bad either. I ate more bread during my 4 months in France than I probably had over the previous 5 years combined. There were open-air markets every day around town, fresh bread on almost every corner, and pastries galore. Everything tasted so real and fresh, and people valued and enjoyed the time that it took to prepare delicious meals for the family to share. French cuisine is truly a beautiful thing and the transition back to food and the food culture in the U.S. has been difficult.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living in a host family is certainly a plus for cultural integration, but only if you take the time to engage with them. I spent a very large amount of time with my host family as well as their friends and family who came over for different parties and get-togethers, which really helped me to meet other French people and get a broader view and deeper understanding of the culture. At the university, it was difficult to engage with French students because all of my classes were with other international students, but I found other ways to get involved like teaching English conversation classes at a local French high school.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had to use healthcare during my time abroad. Thankfully, getting a cold was the worst thing that happened to me, and my host parents took good care of me until I felt back to 100%.

I didn't go out late at night except for a couple times, and based on those experiences, I wouldn't recommend doing so if you can avoid it. The people who are out and about late at night can be pretty sketchy just like in any other city. One night coming back late from a friend's house, I had an uncomfortable feeling and thought that a stranger on the tram had followed me off the tram at my stop, so I stayed in a public area near other people and waited for him to wander away. Also, one of the girls in my program was robbed when she was walking home by herself late one night. Long story short, I always felt completely safe during the daytime, but after dark, especially once the trams started coming less frequently, I think it was really important to stay with a group of people you knew and not linger outside, especially in non-public areas.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I went on two trips aside from the excursions that were included in my program, but aside from that I didn't spend much at all on non-food items (except for a few souvenirs here and there for friends and family). Breakfast and dinner were provided by my host family, and half the time I would also eat lunch with them or get food from home. When I had lunch outside the house, was easy to find a good, affordable lunch for 4-6 euros.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

All of my classes were in French, and I stayed in a French-speaking host family.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

• My host family, living in another culture
• Improving my language skills
• The delicious food

• More interaction with French students
• More volunteer opportunities
• More time on the Paris excursion

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer