An amazing experience in Grenoble, France Past Review
By Brittan L (French Language Teacher Education., Wartburg College) for
AIFS: Grenoble - University of Grenoble - French Language and Culture and Intensive French Language
It was completely worthwhile. I learned how to be more independent. I learned not only the language but so much about the culture, people, food, history, and more. I tried to be a French person, and I think I succeeded!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was lighter than at my home university, but the grading system is tougher. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program director at Grenoble was wonderful. She always made herself available (by phone, email, and office hours). She often checked up with the host families, and scheduled fun trips for everyone. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was not close to the center of town at all. I did not like to stay out late a night because taking the tram back to myself at night seemed dangerous sometimes. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Went on a few trips with AIFS and went on a couple trips and excursions with the CUEF. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt a lot less safe than I do here in Iowa. Traveling at night made me uncomfortable and there was a scary incident on the tram once. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't spend much on food because I received 35 euros for lunch money every week and ate dinner with my host family. I probably spent about 50 euros on personal expenses/activites each week, with many exceptions of course. Traveling so much was by far my biggest expense. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling is expensive, but when else are you going to have this much time to travel the world? |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FrR 314 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language with everyone in my class, my host family. Yes, I used French in everyday interactions. Most people did speak English, however, I did not speak English with them. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you are looking to study only French in the classroom, take the intensive program it is great. If you are looking for more varied courses, take the language and culture program or even the business program. |
