France Study Abroad Past Review
By Kayla P (Early Childhood Education, Colby-Sawyer College) for
CEPA Foundation: Strasbourg - EU Studies Semester Abroad Program
Yes. I was able to see much of the area I was in, in that short amount of time.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Our culture class seemed a bit of a joke. The grading was way too easy to be considered college level and the teacher, Petra, was scatter-brained that resulted in little to know learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
He was a bit harsh which made me not want to ask him for help. He was very intimidating and it seemed like he was always judging us and looking down upon us. This may not be true to his character, but most of the time there, that is what if felt like. His company did not make me feel comfortable in France whatsoever. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived in a Chateau with three other study abroad groups. There were two United States groups and one Canadian group. We had a coordinator who personally helped out with our issues. There was also a front desk to help us out. Issues: Internet always went out and after 10pm we didn't have anyway to fix it. This caused many problems with studying and doing homework. Location was also poor. It was very far from the city. Also, many times the bus and/or tram systems would go on strike, keeping us at the chateau. |
| * Food: |
My personal taste in food is much picker than most. Food was half and half; some was great, some was horrible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were able to see much of France and Germany with our group. Frieberg was of my favorite towns in Germany. I'd love to go back again someday. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It was fairly safe. There were a couple issues, but nothing sever. |
| 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? | At first, I was spending all of my money that was provided. Food wasn't that cheap in France. But after a while, I stopped spending it all together. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I did not know there was also going to be a deposit the chateau. Also, on our excursions we had to pay for lunch ourselves. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
We only practiced French in our language class and when we went to the city, which wasn't as often as it could have been (due to the fact that our classes were actually AT the chateau). Most workers at the chateau were German, so they spoke that when they weren't speaking English. It didn't quite feel like we were in France with the different cultures and nationalities of the people around us. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Have fun while you are there, even though you miss your family and friends, you will miss your time abroad extremely when you are gone. |
