Its History, its France, it was Fun! Past Review
By melbert912 (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
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
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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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Didn't have any health issues abroad |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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 |
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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 |
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
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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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| 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? | Nothing - felt I was pretty well informed for what to expect. And as a result was prepared for the program. |
