A month in the mountains Past Review
By Maria J (French Language, Literature, Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/30/2015 to 07/11/2015 with
Boston University: Grenoble - Language & Liberal Arts Program, Summer
I gained such great perspective: I am now able to appreciate everything I have more. I am also much more confident with my language, especially listening.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were some administration errors that were inconvenient but never anything dramatic that gravely affected the program or my experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family which consisted of two older artists and another girl from my program. We lived in a decent sized apartment in the historical city center. It was a great location and the best conversations and learning experience I had was in the household. |
| * Food: |
French food is amazing and not drastically different than that of the US. I ate two meals a week with my host family and they were three courses and delicious. I did not have access to the kitchen although I was allowed to have a few things in the fridge. I bought snacks to keep in my room and usually went to a restaurant on the nights that I didn't eat with my host family. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was during the summer so I met more international students than French students, but I still felt that I understood the culture of Grenoble even if I didn't meet many French people my age. I did become very close with many other students learning French from all over the world. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had a health concern arise but the program clearly addressed the steps and what is available to you. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe, I always traveled with someone just in case. If using a bike be careful of cars because the road rules are slightly different in Europe. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I spent more than I wanted on food because I did not have access to a kitchen. I did not buy many souvenirs and almost all my money was spent on food and travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~100$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Whenever possible buy food from the grocery store and don't go to a restaurant every night. |
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 |
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| 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? | 106- French composition |
| 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? | Talk to everyone in French, even those who also speak your native language. |
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? | That there would be so much opportunity for travel and experiences that you should take advantage of. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
