Really Great Experience, but Specific School Program Held Me Back Past Review

By (Colorado State University) - abroad from 01/24/2019 to 05/12/2019 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and about others, taught me to appreciate my own culture as well as other cultures, more.

Review Photos

CEA: Aix-en-Provence, France Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend it all at once, and think about what you're going to want to spend it on before you travel. If you stick to a plan, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 201
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 speaking as much as you can. With French, at least, being able to write and read is much different that being able to speak it.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Always felt safe, knew there were people here for me
  • Many opportunities for excursions and cultural activities
  • Preparation from CEA and CSU was very accurate and helpful
* What could be improved?
  • Being more informed about academics before the program
  • Equally detailed information for all things
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you don't HAVE to do all the typical study abroad things, it's not about trying to show everyone what you did, it's an experience for you that you should enjoy and feel comfortable with, however you see fit.