Strasbourg - The Best Place on Earth Past Review
By Kristy P (Political Science, University of Florida) - abroad from 01/04/2015 to 04/26/2015 with
CEPA Foundation: Strasbourg - EU Studies Semester Abroad Program
OF COURSE IT WAS! I learned so much that I created a whole blog about it. But in short words: I increased my global awareness and have an international perspective on politics and relations among nations.
Review Photos
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 that were taught by the staff at the Chateau in Strasbourg were quite interesting. As a Political Science student they related to my areas of interests and I learned much about European politics. I also had the opportunity to take courses at the University of Strasbourg Business school & SciencesPo institute. The courses were rigorous and intriguing. 0 |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had the BEST coordinator for our program and the entire staff at the Chateau was AMAZING! They always assisted us when necessary and aided to having a succesful living and learning experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Chateau de Pourtales is quite a distance from the city center but it is situated in a beautiful area in the city with a park that goes on forever. It is always nice to come home to a beautiful view and not the busy city. We were also very close to the other students which brought us closer together as a group. |
| * Food: |
French food. That is all I must say. It's awesome. & due to the Franco-German relations you get the best of both worlds for food options. The city of Strasbourg has a large variety of international food options as well so you will never be bored. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I personally would have lived to live with a host family to completely immerse myself in the French language. However, due to the wonderful focus of European politics and business that did not happen. I did interact with the French on a daily basis in the Chateau and in the city. The chateau staff also spoke German so it was nice to be exposed to the German culture and language as well especially since the city is right at the border of France and Germany. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The French smoke A LOT and as an asthmatic I was heavily impacted during my first few weeks. Luckily the local pharmacy, only a few minutes walk from the Chateau, had the medication I needed to get better. |
| * Safety: |
This is the safest place on the planet. I was never worried even when I would walk home alone at midnight. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I know how to budget failry well and extend the lifeof my resources so my stay here was very feasible. I would spend about 40 euros on groceries every two weeks and I traveled at least once a month (for trips not included in the program) |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 euros every two weeks |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy foods that you can make many meals out of. Avoid eating out often. The most money you will save is if you are not big on drinking beer (if you are a beer drinker then that is where all your money might go). Travel using RyanAir and other inexpensive airlines. Book your travel way in advance. Stay in Hostels instead of Hotels, they are less expensive and offer some benefits. |
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 |
They encouraged us to go out and make French friends and had several events at the Chateau to bring other foreign students to connect with us. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Take 15 minutes that you would normally spend on social media to practice your French (or German). Read one of the newspapers you can grab for free at the tram stations or practice some grammar. The more practice you do the more comfortable you will feel with the language. Whenever you go out into the city to shop or eat try ordering and having basic conversations with the locals in French, they would be more than happy to help if you try. |
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? | 1. Never exchange your money at the airport! 2. Know some basics of the language of any country or region you plan to visit (that way you know how to say hello, please & thank, how to order food or ask where the bathroom is) 3. ALWAYS CARRY CHANGE! In every European country, except for the UK, you must pay to use the restroom. It will usually range from 0.40 - 1 euro. |
