Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Its History, its France, it was Fun! Past Review

By (Public History, St. Cloud State University) - abroad from 05/18/2012 to 06/09/2012 with

France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A better understanding of the depth and diversity of France and its history, language skills did improve. Was totally worthwhile - would do again in a heartbeat.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Didn't have any health issues abroad

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Often had my choice of restaurants for lunch and had access to grocery stores for additional personal supplies - could choose within my personal budget. Dinner was covered by program.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Don't remember, ballpark of 100E a week, mostly on food
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get snacks and other food supplies at grocery stores. Refill water bottles rather than purchasing

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

Often on own to order lunch in restaurants - but no formal language component.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? Beginning French II, Vol 1 Rosetta Stone
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? I liked Rosetta Stone - good vocab builder. I also used Coffee Break French by Radio Lingua Network for practical language lessons - how to order, vocab building, grammar, etc.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Site Seeing experience - connecting what we read with actual sites in the text
* What could be improved?
  • More immersion within culture - we were pretty isolated by living and traveling with just our group
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing - felt I was pretty well informed for what to expect. And as a result was prepared for the program.