A lifechanging learning experience that I will remember forever! Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 05/22/2017 to 07/17/2017 with
CIEE: Paris + Dakar - Summer Francophone Studies
I learned so much about several different cultures and I improved my language skills exponentially! I was able to do the things that I love doing and achieve several goals of mine, so it definitely was worthwhile.
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. |
My courses were taught completely in French, so it really challenged me and improved my French language by leaps and bounds. My professors were all very knowledgeable and willing to help and meet with me after class to work with me on anything I needed help with. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration and staff were so kind and helpful. They cared for us like we were their own children, and were always willing to give advice and show us around town if we needed any help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host families were amazing and treated me as if I was actually a member of their family. They were always understanding of cultural differences and kindly explained to me all of the things I didn't understand. They were also very understanding and patient with me in terms of the language barrier. |
| * Food: |
The meals that my host families made me were phenomenal and gave me a true understanding of the French and Senegalese cuisines. I was fed often by my host families, and they always informed me when there wouldn't be a meal so that I could make my own arrangements. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Having lived with a host family, I definitely received a large amount of cultural exposure and integration. But, my professors and the CIEE staff also made sure that there were cultural excursions and hands-on learning experiences that allowed me to further understand their culture. Also, CIEE staff gave us lots of information about how and opportunities to become involved socially in the communities. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully, I never experienced a health issue while I was on the program. But, for my peers who did experience health issues, the CIEE staff was sure to find them an English-speaking doctor and accommodate their needs in a timely fashion. |
| * Safety: |
I was a little concerned about pickpockets in Paris and robberies in Dakar, but the CIEE staff and the Study Abroad staff prepared me well for being safe and aware while I was abroad. In Paris, the staff even showed us a video of examples of scams and pickpocketing techniques used so that we could be aware. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved this program and the people that I interacted with through it, I wish that I could do it all over again! |
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) |
In Dakar, it was easy to live on a student budget because everything was relatively inexpensive. But, in Paris it was very difficult to live on a student's budget especially because my host family only provided us with dinner, so we had to buy lunch out which was expensive everywhere. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would suggest that students budget especially well for food. They are going to want to go out to restaurants to get a real taste of the cuisine and try new foods, but it will get very expensive regardless of how well they try to eat cheaply. |
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 |
I lived with a host family that did not speak English in both countries, and my courses were instructed in French, so I was really challenged to learn the language and utilize my language skills. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FREN 321 |
| 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? | Speaking to native speakers in the language is the best way to learn the language! I suggest living with a host family or getting involved in the community to really challenge yourself and improve your language skills. |
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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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? | There really isn't anything that I wish had been different or that I wish I had known -- everything was really awesome! The only thing I would change is the lack of communication from the US CIEE staff prior 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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
