Not as Great as Expected but Still Good Past Review
By Jenna Johnson (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/16/2017 to 04/21/2017 with
Burgundy School of Business: Dijon and Lyon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about French culture and who I am as a person. I've become more aware of myself and my surroundings. I believe it was worth it!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Did not enjoy the school as much as I'd hoped. The administration was rude and often difficult to work with. The classes were unchallenging. There were very few school groups and be involved with, and those that were there We're unwilling to work with international students except Melting Potes. Basically I avoided the university as much as possible. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
When I went into several administrative offices, I was met with uninterested, pretty much rude behavior. The administration was also hard to work with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
While I met many friends at tremouille, I was not impressed by their cleanliness, functionality, or environment. There were many rules that seemed absurd to me, like noting being able to shower after 10:00 pm. |
| * Food: |
Food was great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Basically classes and the community are your only options to get to know the locals, and they tend to stick together |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easy and fairly priced! |
| * Safety: |
Very safe environment |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
While I enjoyed my time, I didn't appreciate the school I was in. I liked the city, but there wasn't much to do locally. |
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) |
If you cook your own food and don't eat out too often, it can be a very affordable city to live for a student. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just remember that even going out for a meal at home is one meal you won't be able to have out with friends abroad! |
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 |
Our french classes were horrible and taught us almost nothing, I learned more around the city than in school. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Elementary |
| 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? | Try to hang around the city and talk with locals as much as possible! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | I wish I had looked at more housing options. |
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.' |
