La vie est belle en Provence Past Review
By Vivien F (Georgia State University) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 04/19/2014 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
. Budgeting, travelling in some very roundabout ways, and dealing with difficult situations, I learned to take care of myself and become independent in a way I never was before. I met some wonderful people from all over, and really came to fall in love with the whole region.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
lots of opportunities to feel a part of the Provencal culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Aix is an incredibly safe city. but just like anywhere else, you must always be cautious. |
| 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) |
Aix is pretty expensive (second to Paris), and because it's small it's harder to find things for cheap. Still, it is doable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | DIA is a lifesaver. Also, eating out can be expensive, so I might suggest taking the 20 minute bus to Marseille where things are a lot cheaper. |
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? | 3000 level college 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? | Speak French all you can! There will be people who try to speak English with you because of your accent, but just keep insisting on French. It's the only way you'll learn. |
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? | Just because it's in the south of France doesn't mean that it isn't cold and rainy in the winter. |
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. |
