Lived up to Expectations Past Review
By A student (computer science and French, Trinity University) - abroad from 06/02/2012 to 07/15/2012 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I became more comfortable speaking and writing French, and I gained an appreciation for the differences between America and other cultures.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had no problems dealing with the administration while I was in France, but the process of getting the invoice for the program, paying (by check), and finally getting my transcript took a ridiculously long time. The AUCP office did not respond to my emails, so I had no idea what was going on for two months. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
There is a lot of great food available in Aix, including restaurants, boulangeries, glaceries, pizza, paninis, crepes, and a market on some mornings. Restaurants in Aix are expensive. The food I got in my homestay was not always the fabulous home cooking I imagined, but it wasn't bad. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family helped a lot with integration, as did the pledge to speak only French. But I found it difficult to make French friends while coping with the intensive class work. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience with health care during the program. Another girl in my group did, and I don't think she had any complaints. |
| * Safety: |
Aix is generally considered to be a very safe city. I did a lot of walking and running alone and didn't have any problems. Women walking alone late at night may get pestered occasionally, but it is usually harmless. |
| 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) |
I had to pay for bus fare, a French cell phone, most lunches, and some dinners. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get a cell phone plan that will last you the whole program, rather than buying more minutes/texts as you go. Invest in a monthly bus pas. |
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? | Advanced |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Making local friends can really make the experience more worthwhile. It's worth staying out late once in a while even if that means less time for homework. |
