Intense Past Review
By A student (Global Communication, Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/11/2012 to 05/18/2012 with
CIEE: Paris - French And Critical Studies
So much! It taught me how to live on my own in a foreign country; how to make friends with people from different cultures; confidence in speaking French. It was so worthwhile--I've already started saving up to go back!
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. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I think living with a host family should be optional instead of necessary. However they did a good job of matching up students with compatible hosts. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They did a good job trying to help us integrate, but part of the problem is that Parisians in general are private people, so it was difficult to integrate. |
|
* 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
|
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) |
|
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 on average (including travel) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop at grocery stores instead of going out to eat and plan trips our ahead of time when tickets are cheaper. |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | 300s...I'm definitely more fluent than I was but not completely (which is why I didn't select "fluent"). |
| 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? | Practice with friends so you're more comfortable speaking with others. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Nothing in particular, I just wish I would have planned out my trips and not wasted as much money going out for meals/drinks. |
