Aix-cellent Past Review

By A student (PSYCHOLOGY., Fairfield University) - abroad from 01/19/2013 to 05/19/2013 with

Fairfield University: Aix-en-Provence - Semester or Year Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned more about myself than I thought, but I definitely would choose a different program in the same location. I don't feel like IAU offered exactly what I was looking/hoping for.

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.	Some of the classes, particularly with one teacher, felt like a complete joke. One class should have been labeled differently because it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	LOVE the staff here! They actually know your name, even when you think they don't. They take the time to stop and help you and listen to your concerns and take them into consideration.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Absolutely love my host family! They are sweet and kind. I was one of the few people who lived with a host family and not just a host mother. It definitely made for more interesting conversations and events.
* Food:	Food was excellent. I tried many new things that I did and didn't like, but it was still good.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I feel like I integrated well, but there are still a few things that I don't understand. But it was nice to experience a different culture.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	It was literally a 10 min walk from the school and one of the staff went with me to make me feel more comfortable. The amount of $$ spent on medicine was obnoxious and the price I paid for the 15 min doctor visit seemed unnecessary.
* Safety:	Aix is such a safe city no matter what part you live in. I've never felt in danger while being out here.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)	Things are expensive in France! Lunch costs more than it would in America. While you can find good food for cheap, it's a little frustrating when 20 euros doesn't last you a week for food. I spent around 500-800 dollars a month.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	around 100 - 200 dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Make your own lunch if you can! Don't go shopping in Aix. It's really expensive. Even though there are sales, you will find better deals when you travel to other places. Remember that it's in euros and not dollars! Set yourself to a strict budget each week and actually stick to it.

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	All the staff in the building spoke French and would encourage you to use it as much as possible.
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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Intermediate
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?	Talk to people while you're waiting in line at a store. If you go to the same store everyday, just start up conversation with the business owner. Make some friends who speak the language and set up times to just practice with them. If you stay with a family, then practice the language with them.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students 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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Small classes Quaint building
* What could be improved?	Class offerings School open more often
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	How many hills there were. How uneven the streets were. How expensive everything is in Aix. What cards and tickets to bus to save money while traveling in Europe.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Philosophy
Course Department:
Instructor:	Carsten
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	While the course was interesting, there was no real challenge. The teacher seemed to have no real direction of what he was going to teach. Half the time we were on tangents about nothing. Not where I would have chosen to spend money on a class. While we did have some enriching discussions, half the time I was just waiting for class to be over. He's a good teacher, but there should be a little more structure or something. At least come in with an agenda and stick to it.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Art History 382
Course Department:
Instructor:	John Gasparach
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class should be called Art Criticism or Art Analysis. It is NOT an art history class. Homework was to provide a question about the readings each class. There was no actual in class discussion about the readings and how they would relate to what we were doing. We would spend most of our time analyzing pictures instead of learning the actual history of art. It only focused on two main artists. I found the class interesting, but the name of the class definitely needs to be changed to something more suitable for what is actually being talked about in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	French 202
Course Department:
Instructor:	Annabel Martin
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	She's a good teacher, although it would be nice if she would have explained some of the more difficult concepts in English just to make sure we fully understood. Exams and homework were graded fairly and in enough time. She made herself available if people had questions. I participated just as much in this class at I would in a class at my home institution. I wish we went on more field trips when we learned about restaurant vocabulary or how to ask for an item in a store. Actually practicing outside of the classroom would have been better. Overall, she did an excellent job teaching the class and provided me with new knowledge of the French language.
Credit Transfer Issues: