A life changing experience! Past Review
By Courtney R (Psychology/French, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/19/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France
I learned so much it's hard to describes in words, I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of, I'm practically a new person. I'm more outgoing and willing to talk to people and I'm not afraid to do something by myself.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Stendhal University |
| 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 |
I LOVE PATRICK. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was wonderful! They were welcoming and interested in helping me but they weren't overly involved, I could do what I wanted but I was always welcome to join in their family activities. |
| * Food: |
It's France... food=incredible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone warned me that the French were rude, but I found the exact opposite. The people from Grenoble were all warm and kind and very willing to help me out. However, they always wanted to speak English with me and I found it frustrating, but you just have to keep speaking French and eventually they will get the hint. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My friend sprained her ankle within the first month of the program and we found it really easy to get medical help. Pharmacies carry everything and doctors are readily available. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt uncomfortable, even walking alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I personally spent a lot of money but most of it went into traveling. It's pretty easy to live cheaply if you don't plan on traveling every weekend like I did. But that's part of the reason I studied abroad, I wasn't constantly concerned with how much I was spending because I was getting an incredible experience out of it. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I have no idea... I didn't keep track. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I lived in a homestay so I had breakfast and dinner included, if you want to save money, make use of those and don't go out a lot. Buy food for lunch and keep it in your room so you don't have to spend a lot at the school cafeteria. Also, price compare on everything when planning trips, there are always deals on trains and hostels are super cheap. |
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 |
I spoke French everywhere except for with my study abroad group, we hung out all the time but we never used French. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | French 305 |
| 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? | Spend a lot of time with your host family (if you have one) otherwise walk around the city and talk to the locals. They are always willing to have converstations with Americans. And really encourage your friend group to speak French as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I really loved Grenoble but it was a smaller city and that made it difficult to travel conveniently. I would find a city that provided more ways to travel. |
