Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Tiny, Safe Community in Tiny, Rich Town Past Review

By (Journalism., Fordham University) - abroad from 09/03/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned my own language skills and how to manage sometimes difficult situations

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.

The teachers are excellent and very involved. The class are small and interactive. However, you are graded on a harsh scale considering the class language and objectives are not native to you. Furthermore, the professors are not widely available outside of class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Lille was enthusiastic, but left for a book tour in our second week. We did not really get to know her. The only person who truly seemed to show interest was Sandrine, who always looked out for us.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family but it was difficult and expensive being so far from Centre Ville. The school expected me to participate in a million things and go out all the time, but that was impossible for most of the semester because the buses stopped at ten and I couldn't afford taxis all the time.

* Food:

What can be better than fresh bread, Camembert, and wine?

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I got to know the city, the French residents, and the culture very well. Aix is a wonderful place to live.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

n/a

* Safety:

Safest place in the world.

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)

France is very expensive, but I learned to budget and made do.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Couchsurf instead of staying in hostels. Shop at markets and grocery stores for ingredients. Pregame bars.

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

We signed an all-French language requirement.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French Culture and Conversation
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak it, read books, watch films

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Other students
  • Aix
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Staff support
  • Grading policy
  • Extracurricular expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to budget more effectively.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.