Aix en Provence = life changer. Challenges are Rewarded. Past Review
By Brittany R (History & French Language/Culture, California State University - San Marcos) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
This is helping my decide what I am going to do with my life!! I wouldn't change anything and i love every moment of everyday!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The overall academics are amazing. We are placed into classes according to our level of french. All of the professors are kind and patient and are willing to help you with anything. I wouldn't change a thing about the academics! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program director is fantastic! We can go to her for anything and when I say anything, I mean ANYTHING. I don't think there are any weaknesses to this program and its strengths are endless. You are in the South of France and it is beautiful, you are surrounded by an amazing and beautiful language and there is nothing to prevent you from going to see amazing sites. This program integrates travel, culture and academics. The opportunities are endless! You even have a good amount of time off to go travel and really see places you have always dreamed of whether those places are in France or throughout the other countries in Europe. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I could speak french with my roommates but most of the time we speak english just out of habit. I however, use french daily and sometimes I speak it with my roommates even if they respond in english. |
| * Food: |
You have a daily market with fresh, local produce. It is amazing. Plus living in France, you have some of the best food in the world. Absolutely amazing. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program takes you on several excursions so you can broaden your horizons. All I have experienced has taught me so much about France and it is amazing. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I am completely comfortable walking around by myself. Healthcare: AWESOME! I have had a few accidents and I was completely taken care of. This included the doctor as well as an ER visit with X-rays! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice my french with my program director, my professors, roommates and classmates. Living in Aix, you can get by with very little french in every day life but it is so much easier (and fun) to use the french language. This is a University town so there is a lot of english but I strongly recommend having some french prior to being here. I use french every day! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Just do it. If you have dreamed about living in France, this is the place to be. Tons to do and lots to see. FOr me this is changing my life and I can't wait to see how it impacts my future! |
