Nice France: The Opportunity of a Lifetime for French Immersion Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational system in France is very different from that of Providence in that the classes are often lecture-based with either a paper or exam which constitutes the grade. However, I did also take classes that had examinations and papers throughout the semester. Grading is based out of 20 and by French standards a 10 is considered good as professors often grade difficultly. For me all of my classes were in French but I was expected to turn in the same quality of work as the native speakers. Overall it was a good change from the small classes at Providence.

On-site administration of your program

The program is in constant communication with the Virginia headquarters and has a resident director francophone. I felt that the program was very well organized and it definitely exceeded my expectations. The program size was 10 students from different universities which allowed a home-base but also allowed us to branch out to immmerse ourselves in the French culture. I encountered problems as every student abroad does and they were quickly resolved due to the effectiveness of this program. One weakness could be that the program was almost too hands-on in sheltering us rather than having to learn how to communicate and resolved problems on our own.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing was arranged through the program and I was placed in an apartment on the same road as the main public transportation route. I was about a 30 minute bus ride to my main campus. In terms of nightlife I wasn't more than a 35 minute walk but the tram runs until 2AM which only takes 10 minutes to get to the center of Nice. My host family welcomed me into their home as part of their family and provided everything I needed for the apartment.

I stayed with a host family so my dinners were primarily with them because my host mother always prepared a feast for dinner of excellent Mediterranean quality. I was also provided breakfast everyday. I did enjoy sampling the restaurants in Nice which are plentiful. Lunch I often went to boulangeries and got sandwiches.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program sponsored many excursions throughout the semester including a night at the opera, two plays, a weekend in Avignon, day trips to Eze, Cap Ferrat and Monaco, access to the main Carnaval event La Bataille de Fleurs and various outdoor adventures such as hiking and sea kayaking. The events were always well promoted and well received.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues while abroad but there were some who did in the program and they were assisted by the director in making sure that good quality healthcare was executed. Nice is relatively safe. My only concern was that of any young woman in a city at night.

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

I spoke mostly in French during my stay here with my host family, and the French students at the university. It was a good mix to speak with the different ages as I learned the different registers and quickly learned various vocabulary. France attempts to speak English but it is often easier to understand them in French then in English.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Local Students

• Organization, support system
• cultural excursions
• French Immersion in classes and daily life

• class choices for seminars