API Grenoble could not have been a better program! Past Review
By Morgan G (Creative Advertising, The University of Texas at Austin) for
API (Academic Programs International): Grenoble - Université des Alpes
My study abroad experience was everything I could have hoped for and more. Because of my incredible experience I hope to live abroad again someday.
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 teaching methods were by far the most effective in any foreign language class I have had. Because French was the only common language we had in the classroom everything was in French. If a student did not understand something the teacher explained in french. The only issue I had was with the grading system. I still have no idea what my grades were from abroad and have been back for 2 months. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The API program directors could not have been better. They made me feel so comfortable and helped with absolutely everything. If I am ever close to Grenoble again I plan on calling my program directors and seeing them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a single woman in a small apartment in the center of town. I was very close to all nightlife and shopping. I had to take the tram to class but it was an easy trade off so that I always had someone I could trust to walk me home at night. |
| * Food: |
The group I was with tried to save as much money as possible so we ate the bland cafeteria food but if you are willing to spend a little more money there are plenty of good places in the center of town. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since it was summer there were different free concerts on most nights, movies in the park, and plenty of nightlife. API also took us on incredible excursions on the weekends; my favorite was Chamonix. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Grenoble had riots in one of the suburbs while we were there. The riots were 20km away from where I was but after that police were stationed in the park by my house and roamed the streets making sure everything was safe. I was always cautious but never felt like I was in danger. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The spending was what I expected and I would not want the program to change at all to lower the price. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3 semesters |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a woman that did not speak any English so I had no other option but to learn the language as best I could if I wanted to communicate. Many of the students around Grenoble knew some English but we had to use our French at most restaurants and stores. |
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? | A student that is prepared to be fully immersed in the culture and loves the outdoors. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Language Intensive |
| Course Department: | A2.8 |
| Instructor: | Catherine David |
| Instruction Language: | French |
| Comments: | The class was not too challenging. We started the class with a scavenger hunt around the city that was very helpful and educational. The teacher was very well prepared and knowledgeable. From what I have heard I was very lucky to have such a caring teacher. because I liked the teacher so much I participated in class much more often than I do in the States. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I do not know yet. |
