Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Found an outspoken person within me who I didn't know. Past Review

By (Business Management, University of Tulsa) - abroad from 08/25/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

CIEE: Rennes - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It definitely was, I found new ways to study and my adaptability capacity highly increased.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The language courses were easy, but the elective course that I took at the local university was difficult.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The family was great, but I didn't like how far away they lived from the center of town, I also didn't like the fact that my host mom did my laudry.

* Food:

The meals were great, but I didn't like the fact that my host family went grocery shopping everyday for the daily meals, so in between main meals there was not food to snack on.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Although the culture is very introverted I put effort into going out so I could meet more locals and it worked.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't have any health issues, but others in the program did and they got taken care of very well.

* Safety:

There are places in the city one must avoid, I almost got my cellphone stolen while walking to the metro station once.

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)

For the most part if I were to just stay in town that would have been enough, but I wanted to trouble so I spent more, which I did not account for it being as expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? when traveling during the weekend $190, if I stayed in town $65.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go out to often, just go out twice a week and limit yourself.

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

We were expected to use French at all times.

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? I had finished all required language based courses, I was taking subject matter courses (Business French)
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? Even if you make mistakes often practice, do not get intimidated and just talk.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Having lunch at the CAF.
  • The fieldtrips
  • The students and administrators of the proogram
* What could be improved?
  • The enrollment process
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That Brittany is a gorgeous region in France but it is faraway from all major cities in France and in Europe, I wish I had known that international travel wouldn't be so easy traveling from Brittany.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.