Dijon, France-Challenging but Fun Past Review
By AnnaRose W (Film Studies, St. Cloud State University) for
Centre International d'Etudes Francaises (CIDEF): Dijon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
it was worthwhile, but cost too much
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. |
There was a decent amount of homework, they taught us something new everyday which kept us moving but it was challenging to keep up and we had a test each week for what we learned which got progressively harder. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They spoke English and were helpful but the department was very small |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I arranged housing by filling out the form and was selected to live with a host family. The apartment was very nice and in the main part of the city/downtown so it was easy to go shopping and get places. The neighborhood was safe in the daytime, but I didn't go out at night by myself. The bedding and towels were provided, and she cooked for us every night. My host mom, Agnes, was very nice but left on the weekends and was absent the last 2 weeks I was there but had a friend come over and cook for me at night. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
the excursions through the CIEF program were good and a decent rate |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
the city of Dijon was safe for the most part but I wouldn't recommend going out at night by yourself. There was no health care facility on campus that I knew of but I did not need it. |
| 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? | I had to buy breakfast cereal since I needed more than the typical French breakfast of bread and coffee so that was about 1 box at 4 Euros which lasted me a week and a half about. Lunch at the University cafeteria was 4 Euros and I ate there usually everyday. Dinner was made by my host mom and it was 22 Euros a day to stay with her. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | make a budget or you will run out like I almost did! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 100 |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke with my classmates and in class discussions and lessons. I needed to speak French most of the time except for with my American or Irish friends. Some students spoke English as well as learning to speak French. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure you know the language basics atleast before you go |
