France: Wonderful country Past Review

By (Pychology, University of Kansas) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: French Riviera, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It broadened my cultural experience. I travel a lot which was wonderful. Wish I would have had more people in my program

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were too long (3 hours) and the professors were NOT entertaining at all. The French students never paid attention and professors were hard to understand

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My leader was awesome, she took us on field trips and explained the bus system, her office was always open. It was a wonderful resource to have. My only complaint is I wish I could have interacted with a host family and was forced to learn the language.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The neighborhood was wonderful, it was a big small but cozy. I wish I would have been matched better with roommates. My rommates and I clashed. I also wanted all the other people in my program to live closer to me

* Food:

We had to shop on our own, I wasn't a huge fan because I have a wheat allergy and it was difficult to know what had wheat in it

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The field trips were AWESOME! My liaison was great about taking us to local places and on field trips.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The Doctor recommended was wonderful and very helpful to me. I had bed bugs and he took great care of me.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Yes, I kind of wish they didn't

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My liaison, beautiful place to study, traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Education (school was really far away) Stay with a host family, accomodate my allergy better
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Stay with a host family, learn some french before you go. Try to interact with the locals as much as you can