CEA Aix-en-Provence is HIGHLY recommended! Past Review
By Jasmine P (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., University of California - Riverside) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Aix-en-Provence, France
I recommend to everyone Studying Abroad. I'm SOOO glad I went. Yes, it costs a little much and the planning can be a little burden, but the goods in life aren't free right? Look at it this way--it's either you have no money and time, or time and no money. THIS IS THE TIME. Money will come later, but time will not. These experiences change you and can maybe even help you get a job. Be different. Go abroad. It will DEFINITELY change your life.
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. |
Class is mandatory in France unlike in America. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CEA is EXCELLENT with planning activities for you. All other program kids were very jealous how CEA took care of us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The place was very nice, but living with people like you isn't always the best if you want to venture out. I guess it works out best, but you should certainly make friends with people with host families and see if you can come have dinner with them every so often. |
| * Food: |
Cooking saves money! CEA covered some group outing tabs which was nice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I requested a cooking class and CEA made it happen, with the price included in the program! I also really appreciated the private cheese tasting, wine tasting, and lavender field excursions,that were all planned for and included in the program fee. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In orientation my program addressed all health issues. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you want to go to a concert or event in another city and need to take a train, I suggest buying your ticket in advance (In the US) or get a Eurail pass. They save so much money and stress! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke French all the time. People in the program spoke English, but you will always find people willing to practice with you. Befreind them! :) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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? | GO EXPLORE. |
