I'm ready to go back already.... Past Review
By Danielle V (Integrative Neuroscience, SUNY - Binghamton) - abroad from 09/21/2013 to 01/19/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
I feel like a better version of myself after being abroad. Overall, I got everything I wanted out of this, and more. My time abroad will definitely be my glory days, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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. |
I thought that IEFEE was the perfect school to study abroad at. I know CEA has the options of IAU and IEFEE now, and I say that if your scheduling with your home university allows you to, choose IEFEE! It's an international school so it's a cultural experience in itself, the classes are small so you get so much attention, and the staff is just great! I loved my professors, they taught me a lot about the French culture too. I learned French so much faster and better than I had ever learned it before. It was great to just get out of class and immediately be able to put what you hard learned to good use. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Vivienne and Vainess are amazing!!! Vivienne really goes above and beyond to make sure everyone has the best experience that they can. They think of everything and are incredibly supportive. I would give 6 stars if I could, I really cannot say enough good things. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment I was in was clean, spacious, and in an amazing location. I could just walk out my door and be in the center of everything. But there's the same X factor with roommates the way there is anywhere.... |
| * Food: |
The food <33333 Eat all the French and Provencal food you can, and don't say no to a dinner at someone's house! Some really great restaurants in Aix, and the farmer's markets are truly a unique experience. Taste everything! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I got a huge understanding of the culture living in Aix, but I certainly always felt a division between me and the locals. I think this depends on both your language skills and your personality type too, so just be open and put yourself out there. Ultimately you are the one deciding how integrated with the culture you are going to be! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I can't really speak to this because I never had any health issues, but I never heard of there being any problems with my other program mates. |
| * Safety: |
Aix is really safe. I felt totally safe walking around the city by myself as a small girl, even late at night. Exercise caution the way you would anywhere. |
| 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) |
You can certainly get by on a student's budget if you need to. I love food so I liked to go to restaurants and I tried to travel a lot, which can obviously get expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book IN ADVANCE for traveling. Don't wait till the last minute. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High school French class |
| 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? | If you are rusty on your French, I would advise using Rosetta Stone or reviewing in some way to refresh yourself before you set off. That definitely helped me test into a higher language level, which was scary at first, but ultimately the best thing for getting better at French. Try not to be so shy when talking to people. That was my biggest obstacle, and it's why my speaking didn't improve the same way that my listening, writing, and reading improved. You are going to make mistakes and your accent won't be perfect, but so what? Try to remember how when someone who is learning English speaks to you, they don't sound American and they make mistakes in their speech, but you aren't thinking in your head the whole time how stupid they sound and bad at English they are, you are just focusing on the conversation, and the same goes for when you are trying to speak French. In your time abroad, you will probably experience someone who is rude to you about your French, but don't let that knock down your confidence, they are certainly the minority, and most people will just appreciate the effort and try and converse back with you. Some people will even have the patience to help you! |
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 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? | Not to be afraid!!! It's going to be amazing. |
