France: Countryside vs. City LIfe Past Review
By A student (Family Service, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/13/2013 to 05/27/2013 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
That although there are a lot of differences between cultures, there is also a lot of similarities and those are the things we can bond on,
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
Was set up with wonderful host families and our hostel was small but still homey enough. Only wish was a little more room so our luggage's didn't have to take up the whole floor. |
| * Food: |
Lots of pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Galettes which are a specialty in France were good but sadly they made me ill. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The people who knew that we were American and helped us around the towns were very friendly and integrated us very well but the locals didn't do much to make us feel welcome. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No issues occurred. |
| * Safety: |
Big city's like Paris are less safe than the countryside, just be aware of your surroundings and stay alert and you will be fine! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 a week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | The exchange rate from Euros to Dollars and how to use money wisely on food abroad |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
