Fantastique ! Past Review
By Brooks P (Art History, Criticism and Conservation, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/27/2015 to 05/08/2016 with
Davidson College: Tours - Study Abroad in France
I was able to improve my French dramatically. That alone is worth going abroad. I also have gotten to explore a lot of France and Europe. But most importantly, my time in France has demanded me to become independent in a way that is impossible at an American university.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Excellent opportunities to improve French language, with lots of opportunities in any subject area at the French university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Fantastic host family, great for improving language skills, gaining meaningful insight of the culture, and building meaningful relationships. |
| * Food: |
It's France. Food doesn't get much better than home-cooked meals by a French host family ! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Going to the French University allowed me to make friends with locals, in addition to my French host family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program is fantastic for getting a deeper look into French language and culture, while forcing you to learn to live independently in a foreign country. |
Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 € |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid eating lunch at restaurants. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Advanced French grammar. |
| 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? | Stay away from your American friends ! You aren't learning French so that you can come to France and speak English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | French university classes demand more lecturing and less personal interaction. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
