Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An American Exchange Past Review

By (French Language, Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/15/2016 to 12/10/2016 with

AIFS: Paris - Institut de Langue et de Culture Françaises

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I would definitely say that I gained more outside the classroom than I did inside the classroom, which doesn't mean that my classes were useless but, rather, indicates the value of living in a french-speaking country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I'm happy I choose the program I did because it suited me at the time. But, if I were to go to France now, I would choose a more intensive program.

Finances

* 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)

We received student checks, one group meal a month, and two vouchers to restaurants. My roommate and I also opted to additionally pay for one homestay meal per month.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would definitely recommend opting for the homestay meals not because it saves money, which it doesn't, but because it's an amazing opportunity to practice the language in a nonacademic, stress-free environment.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French IV
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The homestay
  • The activities
  • The food
* What could be improved?
  • The difficulty of the class
  • More interaction with locals
  • More opportunities to practice french in general
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that this program wasn't an intensive one.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Langue française B1-1
Course Department: ILCF
Instructor: Catherine Guerrieri
Instruction Language: French
Comments: While I do recognize that I gained a lot of confidence in my speaking ability through this class, I do not think that it strengthened my grammar or writing skills. Little homework was given, and, therefore, I had few opportunities to submit work for the professor to correct. We did, however, have one two-hour midterm. While the teacher was knowledgeable about french and France, she structured the class around 1) packets distributed bi-weekly and 2) conversations within the class. As the daily, impromptu conversations played an integral role in the structure of the class, I found it difficult to follow the path of the course.
Credit Transfer Issues: I am currently in the process of transferring credit.
Course Name/Rating:

Français oral
Course Department: ILCF
Instructor: Vincent Guillemard
Instruction Language: French
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

International Relations
Course Department: ILCF
Instructor: Helen Thackwell
Instruction Language: English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: