AUCP made me almost fluent in French! Past Review
By Megan C (International Relations, French, Tulane University) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes, my language skills very much improved. It made me add French as a double major. Living in France for 4 months also made me realize I would not want to live in France later in life.
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. |
It was a hard semester, but my language skills have greatly improved. I am almost fluent in French now. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director is crazy and does not care what people say about the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom was great, except for her cooking. |
| * Food: |
My host mom did not cool very well. And tried to make me eat normal food when I was sick before my stomach was ready. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All the field trips were great. Especially with Jean-Do! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Aix is a very safe city. I walked home late at night by myself a couple of times and was fine. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | My host mom gave me lunch everyday so I didn't have to but that much for lunch. Lots of good, not soo expensive restaurants in Aix. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You will have to spend like 50-75 euros for your medical exam at the end of the semester. The marches are really great to spend money wisely and get really fresh foods. Monoprix is good too. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French Grammar |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Be completely immersed. Live with a host family.Sign a language contract. |
| 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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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