French Riviera Study Abroad Program Past Review
By A student (Anthropology., Northeastern University) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/22/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Riviera, France
My language skills have vastly improved since arriving here. The abroad experience also helps to build confidence and a sense of independence. It is nice to know that you have mastered another language, culture, transportation system, and food. If you can succeed in a situation as off-putting as that, you can succeed anywhere.
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 classes here are, of course, designed for business students. As I was here completing a Business Administration minor, the business classes were ideal for that; however, the liberal arts classes offered here are quite easy. It offers more time for travel and a less rigorous course schedule, but if you're looking for an academically challenging curriculum, the liberal arts classes are not the ones to take. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program director is absolutely wonderful. She is extremely kind and accommodating, and willing to help with everything from travel plans to where to find superglue. She puts on lots of events for the students in the program, so you'll never be bored. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with a host family, which was a really great way to learn the language. Because a lot of the curriculum at SKEMA is in English, I was looking for a supplemental way to speak French, and this venue definitely provided it. My host mom is truly lovely - she is a great supporter and is always willing to give tips on how to get the most out of the experience. |
| * Food: |
Being on the Riviera and on the border of Italy means you truly can't go wrong where food is concerned. Even the store-brand cheeses here are outrageously good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This really is what you make of it. It's difficult in ways to integrate because SKEMA is an international school, but if you really want to be a part of Antibes, you will make it happen. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I'm giving this five stars based on the experience of my friends here. I personally haven't had any health problems while abroad, but the way that these issues were handled for the other students in my program generally went quite smoothly. |
| * Safety: |
Antibes is an extremely safe city. It's tough sometimes being a female in Europe, but awkward situations are easily avoided if you keep a stern face and walk with a purpose. The most these situations have ever been, though, is awkward. I've never had a problem, nor have I heard of anyone having one. |
| 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) |
This, of course, depends on what you want to do. You can definitely make a little go a long way if you need to. |
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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| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 5 in high school, did not take French in college. |
| 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 are really looking to use the language here, make sure you take your classes in French. The most widely used language on campus is English, so it tends to be the common language among students outside of school, too. Our program director will always speak in French to you if you make the effort, however, and if you choose to live with a host family, it will force you to practice, as well. |
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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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? | Honestly, the less you know, the better. It's so much more fun to walk in with blissful ignorance expecting nothing and having the best experience of your life. There are bumps along the way, definitely, and expect to fall hard sometimes, but know that everything here is a learning experience and you will be so thankful for it all at the end. |
