Enlightening Past Review
By sandra t (French and International Relations, Berea College) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 05/23/2014 with
CIEE: Rennes - Liberal Arts
I learned to branch out and take risks. It was worth it!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed the CIEE program in Rennes, but I had a hard time with fact that each class met once a week for two hours. I love school and learning, and I think I would have learned more, particularly in developing my writing skills in class had we met more often. The educational system was very much different from what I'm used to in the US, so it took me a while to adjust to learning in Rennes, so I would keep this background in mind and not necessarily take this criticism to mean that the program was not good. Just for me personally, it did not challenge me as much as I hoped it would. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Daniel, Charlotte and Madeleine were amazing! On professional and personal level, they were just amazing, friendly and on top of their work! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very much satisfied!I enjoyed my family very much. My host dad and I went on runs very often and ran a mountainous 16k race together!My host mom is an amazing cook. She and I had some conflict about me deciding to stay home for break and would always ask me if I'm going out, which pressured me sometimes to created plans on the spot. but other than that, I think I had a great time with them and they liked me! |
| * Food: |
Food is a good enough reason for me to go back to beloved Rennes! what I really didn't like is their small cups of coffee. Very unsatisfying, I have to say:( |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Rennes is really safe, at least the part where I lived. Downtown was also safe at night, but I was always in a group setting. so i would encourage everyone to be with friends when late at night. |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't always eat out!take advantage of the meals you're allowed to have with your host family! |
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 |
The program encouraged me everyday and challenged me! but the group of students you're with brings you down! branch out and befriend people who don't speak you're language, this will challenge you to learn the one you're here to learn! |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 310 |
| 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? | listen to french radio, tv, and speak it with whoever. speak it even to yourself!Befriend, again, people outside of your group. |
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? | That I wouldn't spend as much time in class as I thought I would.I would have prepared myself mentally |
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! |
