Great experience and I'll do it again Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was a magnificent experience and what I expected. I have experience traveling abroad so a month out of the United States was not too long. I plan on traveling again on my own expenses next time i have the opportunity. I loved the teachers and the way they exposed all the students to learning and practicing French in the classroom.

On-site administration of your program

At IFALPES I felt very comfortable and people there were very nice. I never had any issues with anyone. I basically went to class to practice my French and then I was off to explore the city either on my own or with classmates.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived by myself in a studio and that was great. I did not have to ask to use the kitchen to anyone and I went to the supermarket to buy the type of food i eat.Thanks to being able to live by myself i could keep up with my regular routine of waking up early, working out, showering after, and preparing my breakfast and take off to class. If I felt like taking food with me i did and if I felt I was going to eat out I did as well.

Food was great. It took me some time to adjust to the reduced salt and sugar in foods but in the end was great because it helped me lose some pounds (salt retains water). I am vegan and finding the foods I love the most was not hard at all. At the supermarket I found falafels and tofu which are my staples. Also eating fruits and veggies is big in my diet what was not hard to find. When eating out asking for a pizza without the cheese and plenty of veggie was a solution for me. There were not many places where to eat vegan but searching for them was not hard. In Annecy everything is walking distance anyways.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very well integrated. Some people say that French people do not talk too much but they actually do. Men specially start a conversation out of the blue and some young people will ask for a lighter to lit their cigarettes. A lot of people would start their conversation in French assuming I spoke it as a local. Many people approach me to ask for directions too.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never got sick so I did not need any doctor or visit to the hospital

I was never out too late. It get dark at 10.30 anyways. There were a couple of moment in which motorcycles came very fats by my side when walking on the pedestrian path. Additionally, some cyclist are quite aggressive when going by a pedestrian. Men sometimes catcall women and they stare a lot.

I was a great experience that made me grow as a person and I learned so much from a foreign culture in such a short time. I loved the french women being natural, very little make-up and no brass. They are slim and they do not seek to have breast augmentation. They also do not fear the sun and love tanning. The men show their interest in women but they are respectful. All French people would sit at the European park by the lake to relax after a day of work. Some with their family. I love it that many people used their scooters to go from point A to point B. Younger people used their skating boards, and bicycles. A lot of people used roller blades. Everyone says hi and bye and wish others a good day. I lie the fact that they want people to speak their language even though they speak perfect English.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

On my side it was OK. I eat vegan what makes food way cheaper. For example, rice, pasta, tomato sauce, tofu, yogurt, veggies and fruits were super cheap. I took the bus some days and it costs 1.40 euros round trip. I used some of my money for fun things i wanted to do like renting a bike and cycling around the lake, renting a boat to paddle in the lake, and eating out. Visiting the château in the little village is only 8 euros There are many events that are for free specially in summer and they are a lot of fun. French people love art so they are big in movies and music festivals.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

This is what I loved from the teachers at IFALPES. I took French before going there and I got As in my exams but when I had to apply the language I was lost. There is a big difference between memorizing structures for an exam and using them in real life. Teachers at IFALPES made us use French and try not to use google translate. I felt confident in using the language after the first week.

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• Apartment

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• International Students

• The professor at IFALPES
• Having time for myself after class
• the five weeks

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The Academic or Linguist