You get what you give: When I fell for France Past Review
By Elsa Z (French Language and Literature., Point Loma Nazarene University) - abroad from 09/04/2013 to 12/20/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France
I learned so much not only about myself, but about other people. Now the world doesn't seem so big and strangers don't seem so strange.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were challenging enough, but nothing to stress over! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our on-site director was so helpful in working with the French University's offices and administration. It was a great experience learning to work within a different system. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a residence hall complex with over 1,000 other students, there was always a friend nearby or a new friend to be made. |
| * Food: |
I am a fan of most of the French cuisine haha |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This really depended on the amount of effort I put forth, but I found most people to be very receptive and friendly. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Although I didn't experience any health issues while I was there, a list of doctors in a variety of professions were given to us the first day. The French have a detailed reimbursement system within their healthcare sphere. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt scared. I also made sure to be with a group of people if I was out after dark. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ask the locals, find out about discount stores/events, set a weekly budget, prioritize! |
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 |
My neighbors were 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate French, but living it is different from book-learning it! |
| 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? | MAKE YOURSELF TRY ALL THE TIME |
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? | 10+ |
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 should have started trying to speak French with locals earlier on in my program. I also should have explored the city more! |
