An International Semester in France Past Review
By A student (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 01/17/2018 to 04/20/2018 with
Burgundy School of Business: Dijon and Lyon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself. I also got incredibly independent. If you can move to and travel around the other side of the world by yourself, you can do anything!
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. |
Classes were not very challenging, there was a lack of resources at our school. Overall just a very disappointing educational experience compared to universities in the USA. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
expensive! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would have rather gone to a different country.I loved France but the school I went to was small and I think I would have done more research on culture before to know countries that were more welcoming and friendly. |
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) |
Things were expensive, especially food! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget! Live somewhere you can cook! (especially close to campus so you can go home for lunch) |
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 |
Classes were taught in english except for French language course. |
| 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? | French I |
| 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? | Practice before you go! Go to the markets to practice! French people are not very prone to talking to strangers, so you have to find environments to practice! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | 0 |
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? | The French are not as stressed as we are and don't need constant communication. Before I went I was so worried about hearing back from my landlord and the school and everything on their end was fine, even the things we had problems with they helped me figure it out when I got there. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
