Studying abroad in Tours, France through Davidson College- Incredible and Life-changing Past Review
By Raisa O (French Language and Literature/History, University of Maryland - College Park) for
Davidson College: Tours - Study Abroad in France
YES! Extremely!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Excellent program at L'Institut de Touraine. Very talented staff. Visiting professors who taught courses awarded Davidson-credit were very well organized and extremely academically enriching as well. Excursions were extremely well planned out and very memorable. Excellent environment. Unforgettable experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very knowledgeable individuals. Extremely conscious of all needs. Very kind, helpful and caring. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing and irreplaceable experience! I was treated so well by my host family. I felt so safe, happy, and profoundly at peace in their house. Everything was provided for. I felt like a genuine member of the family and was treated and accepted as such. It was incredible! |
| * Food: |
Dinner and breakfast provided by host family. Lunch on your own. There is a great supermarket situated not far from L'Institut de Touraine. Excellent food. You can find many different cafes as well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Inhabitants of Tours are very helpful and extremely kindhearted people. Young French people are eager to interact and make friends, but it is you who has to make yourself accessible and be ready to integrate entirely into society. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
EXTREMELY SAFE CITY. I NEVER FEARED FOR MY SAFETY. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people do not speak English in Tours as it is situated in central France. This is the perfect city in which to acquire expose to pure and beautiful French. The opportunity to live with a French host family is absolutely irreplaceable and allows you to interact with and experience a true immersion in the French society. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program enabled me to rediscover myself and to truly grow into a more mature and adult mold. The program was very well organized, educational, fun and emotionally and culturally fulfilling. I have never felt myself in such an adventure before. It was life-changing and truly unforgettable. |
