Life-changing Past Review
By A student (Anthropology., Barnard College) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/10/2013 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It has had such a positive influence in my life. Now, I feel more confident and am so happy to be fluent in a different language. Going abroad is really the best thing you can do for yourself in college.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This is an intense program, including at least 5 courses (all taught in French), required club involvement (at least an hour a week), required volunteer work (at least two hours a week) and time spent with your language partner. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The director is not a friendly person. The staff was fine, but they were definitely not as helpful as an American university staff. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My experience with my host-stay family was by far the best aspect of this program! |
| * Food: |
I was fortunate in that my host mom was an amazing cook. However, if you're a foodie like I am, I'd recommend studying in Paris or Lyon for better French food in general. |
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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? |
The university staff seemed annoyed when I had to schedule doctor's appointments. My host mom ended up finding the two doctors I had to see over the course of my time abroad. The staff was not helpful. I broke a bone in my foot which the French doctor prescribed as tendonitis! I guess that's why the French have "free" healthcare. |
| * 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) |
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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 |
We had to sign a language contract to speak only French while abroad. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Composition 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? | You have to get over feeling like you sound like an idiot and engage with native speakers. |
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? |
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? | That I was about to embark on the best time of my life so far and that I better soak in every minute. |
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.' |
