Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learned to function in a Francophone society > mission complete. Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/23/2016 to 07/18/2016 with

CIEE: Rennes - Summer Intensive French Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile. I learned that the world is simultaneously bigger than I ever expected, and smaller than I ever expected.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with an amazing host family that was incredibly welcoming and helped me transition the first week or two when it was surprisingly difficult to communicate. I felt very at home with them and comfortable sharing and opening up to them. My host parents were amazing, and my host siblings warmed up to me very quickly.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There's no way around the fact that it's difficult for an American student (studying over the summer) to make French friends. Although felt that I was lacking French peers my own age, I found myself in many social situations and interesting conversations with French people of other generations. After a few weeks, I felt relatively integrated, and by the end, very integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never once felt unsafe. I felt safer than in my own neighborhood in America.

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)

Especially with most of my meals being with my host family, it was easy to get by without spending too much. For some of the people on my program, hoping was the trap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50-60 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you don't have anything to do, go to the library instead of shopping. My library card cost me three euro, and I didn't have to bring any of the books I read back to America.

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? Intermediate
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? A french content course on the Republic (111 at our school)
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? Establish a routine independent of the group early on, and it will lead you to more frequent situations where you have to use french. Also, spend as much time as you can with your host family, my French improved drastically from talking with them.

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Host Family
  • Public Services
  • Independence
* What could be improved?
  • Help making French friends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Even though it's summer, one pair of jeans is not enough in 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 Academic or Linguist
You 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!