Strasbourg, my new home away from home! Past Review

By A student (University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee) - abroad from 01/05/2020 to 05/01/2020 with

CEPA Foundation: Strasbourg - EU Studies Semester Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I still have 2 months of the program left, but have had an incredible time here. I’ve traveled many places in Europe and have met some of the most amazing friends. The university has given me opportunities to grow academically in ways I don’t think my home university would have been able to do.

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.	I would say that the structure of the courses are vastly different than that of the United States, but I think this program has pushed me to become a better student. Learning in a different academic environment has pushed me to grow and an individual and professional
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes This program has made moving to another country so easy! They give you all the tools you need to succeed.

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$175 per week not including travel expenses
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Track your spending with a budgeting application because it can be very easy to loose track of how much you are actually spending!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	None
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?	Study Duolingo prior to departure, as well as podcast and music in French. This will drastically improve your language skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hotel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Strasbourg is a central location for travel École de management is a fantastic school CEPA providing us with solutions to any problems I’ve encountered
* What could be improved?	There could be a bit more direction with VFS global and obtaining visas, but I know it is a new system and process.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I was more aware of European politics and how the EU functioned. I also wish that I had learned more French prior to coming to the program.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Contributions of your stay in France to your future career
Course Department:
Instructor:	Soumaya
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: