Defying Gravity Past Review
By Xavier J (HISTORY., University of Connecticut) - abroad from 05/31/2013 to 06/29/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Alps, France
I gained further confidence in my aptitudes in the French language. Although I finished my French major before leaving, I went to Grenoble sensing the need for improvement. When I looked at the scores on my 'Attestation' I could see the desired progress had been made. Grenoble was another stepping stone in my academic career as it prepared me to take, and pass the DELF B2 exam. Having passed that exam I had the linguistic credentials required to study in France at the graduate level.
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. |
Although I was only in Grenoble for a month I knew I came to work, and indeed I did. Four hours in class a day plus any homework that came with it. The homework assignments were solid tests of our retention, and in-class activities optimized our opportunities to practice and perfect our oral communication. The resources employed by our professor were useful as they discussions on contemporary issues in France. Thus aside from just grammar rules we learned culture, which is the spice that keeps a language class fun and interesting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
As a current graduate student in France I can say that the administration formalities of enrolling in an educational facility were few, and easy to fulfill when I went to Grenoble via CEA. Going to France on your own ticket is a bureaucratic adventure with housing, immigration, and institutional formalities and requires patience. (Without patience you have already lost the game before its even started). Whenever possible I recommend studying abroad via an established exchange program because the red tape is a lot less thicker. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In contrast with my semester in Paris I felt more at ease in Grenoble. The locals were friendly, social, and made you feel like you were welcomed. It's always reassuring when one is paid the complement "You speak French (very) well". |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I find that when it's daylight in Grenoble there is nothing to worry about. Simply be aware of your surroundings. At night I still see no cause for discomfort. I would say as long as you have friends as company, and stay in illuminated places where there are lots of people you will be alright. (In the event safety seems to be an issue, don't panic, the French aren't just passive bystanders, they also tend to be good Samaritans and just want to have a good time like everyone else) |
| 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) |
In spite of the disadvantageous exchange rates, I've found living on a student budget is not very difficult. I've found the day-to-day food shopping method employed in France very pragmatic. I can buy for my needs of the day at good prices, I just have to make time to go shopping, and as a result I get fresh products. (Keep expiration dates in mind when buying food in France like anywhere else. In France they will sneak up on you). |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You're studying abroad and you want to live, and that's perfectly fair enough, do so. It's an event of a lifetime, but be reasonable in spending. Take care of your mandatory program fees/expenditures first because once they're taken care of they're gone, you have no worries. Second school supplies. You'll find in France classes are more lecture-oriented so notebooks will be your prime necessity. If you need an actual book for a class, don't worry it won't cost you an arm and a leg because a local book store probably has it (Gilbert-Jospeh is the French equivalent of Barnes and Noble/Books-A-Million). Shop for food day to day in France. Sure it seems like everyday money will be coming out of your pocket for food but think of it this way: you know what you want for dinner, hence you have an idea what you need to spend. Last, but certainly not least, leisure/fun/misc (whatever word is most appropriate). Let yourself have nice things from your home abroad. "One does not simply study abroad and not bring home material souvenirs". You just have to be a good judge on priority when it comes to spending. Do you absolutely have to have it? Or can it wait a little while longer? |
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? | B2 (Upon completing the French major) |
| 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? | If you're looking to improve your speaking you must listen to native speakers to develop your vocabulary and listen to the different ways the most basically things are said. This is it's own reward as you begin using new found expressions and you feel more assimilated. If you're looking to improve your writing, than you need to read more. Published writing will be your best friend in this endeavor because the grammar rules are obeyed strictly. It's easy to pick up bad habits in spoken grammar, we always bend/break the rules to get to the point faster. Unless you're reading a lot of dialogue that suggest high familiarity between to speakers, the printed word will not steer you wrong in learning how to write. |
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? | I wish I had known the national and international reputation of the CUEF (Centre Universitaire d'Études Françaises) at Grenoble-3. It would have encouraged me to at least consider, if not apply there as a graduate student in French as a Foreign Language. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
