Grenoble, you've made my love for you bigger than the Alps. Past Review
By Karlee T (History/French, Gannon University) for
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France
If i told you all the qualities and understandings i have obtained from my study abroad program, i would be typing for a long time. I never regret making the decision to study abroad, especially in Grenoble. I love it so much and the people in it. I have learned to grow in different ways as a person as a result and i have been thankful for my experience. I would relive it over if i could. I am actually very interested in teaching English to french students in Grenoble next year. I am hoping i would be so lucky.
Review Photos
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. |
The teachers at L'universite de Grenoble were kinda, understanding, and extremely helpful when teaching us the French language. There was so much hands on exercises and verbal communication between students and teacher that our knowledge grew beyond what we were accustomed to back home since we were living in the language and culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My expectations were happily met and I was actually surprised how committed Patrick Foley was to making sure we had used all our 5 senses while studying in Grenoble. He was so welcoming, kind, supportive, and open minded about our stay. He made sure that if we needed anything, he would get it or help us get it. I was sick with a cold and he took time out of his office hours to go to the pharmacy to help me get some medicine. He is an incredible person and i am happy to say that he is my friend. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I acquired cookware from Patrick Foley. I was grateful since I saved money from going out and buying pots and utensils,etc on my own. My second semester i resided with a host family in a different neighborhood but quickly acclimated to it. I loved their small apt. I was very thankful to have such an experience with a warm French family. |
| * Food: |
Patrick would always recommend "the" places to eat whether it be for a craving of pain au chocolat or a place to have dinner. He is a foodie for sure. The food in Grenoble was beyond what i was expecting so of course that was a highlight of my experience studying abroad. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As a study abroad group, we went on little weekend excursions and we watched the ceremony of Saint Maries de La Mere in Provence. It was interesting how it was still being practiced. In grenoble however, their christmas festival, without a doubt, was the best i've ever been to. Food all around, music, things to buy for friends and family back home. It was awesome. Also Patrick showed us a town called Chambery (not too far a drive on the bus) and at the time their was a Fall festival. All the cattle and horses were decorated with flowers and ribbons while dogs, ducks, and sheep herded around them in a little parade. It was something you only see once a year and i enjoyed it. The tartiflette was incredible! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I needed no vaccines of the sort before arriving in France. I just got the common cold once or twice and used pharmacy medications. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
No one really spoke English besides our fellow study abroad students and other Americans from other study abroad companies. So we would always have practice whether it was with locals, ordering dinner, or practicing with your host family if one was so fortunate. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I would tell an interested student to know what country they would like to study in first. Then deciding where within the country, choose on your interests and try to imagine yourself there and see if it would fit. A student who is adventurous, willing to see and experience the culture of Grenoble, open to go to places nearby the city or neighboring countries, appreciates beautiful mountain ranges, willing to be taught French by a well known French teaching school, and one who is willing to meet other students from other countries such as China, Germany, Australia, England, Belgium and many more from school. |
