CEA Study Away Grenoble Past Review
By Natalie G (University of Alabama - Birmingham) - abroad from 01/24/2012 to 06/02/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France
a different perspective on the world, greater appreciation of all different kinds of people -- it was definitely worthwhile!
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program director, Patrick Foley, was very helpful with whatever I needed. He found a place for my boyfriend to stay when he came and he was always there to make sure we were all comfortable and taken care of! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing. I couldn't have asked for a more welcoming and friendly family! |
| * Food: |
My host family was very accepting when they found out I was vegetarian. They always made sure I had plenty of vegetarian options. On the weekends it was a little more difficult to find vegetarian options, but that's just Europe. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was great being immersed, but a lot of times when you would try and speak french to locals they would respond back in english which made learning and practicing a little difficult. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200+ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you save money before you go unless you have a steady allowance from parents or another source. |
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? | 400 level French Civilization |
| 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? | talk to locals, stay with a family, read french news |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | save more money! |
