SPI Biarritz is a fabulous way to become integrated in French culture! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational experience that SPI's Biarritz program has to offer is amazing. My daughter was able to receive credit from her college in exchange for the coursework she completed in the two-week program, which was one of the biggest benefits of the entire program. Classes were well-structured and professors were very knowledgeable. In terms of the educational value of the experience as a whole, this was a life-changing program for my daughter. So much of the program is geared towards getting the kids out and about in the culture and actually speaking with French people. SPI provided an invaluable experience for my daughter.

On-site administration of your program

My mind was put at ease before my daughter even got to France due to the very helpful nature of the SPI staff. Once in Biarritz, the program leaders were just top-notch: for instance, the airline lost my daughter's luggage when she arrived in Paris, and the leaders were so helpful in calming her and helping her locate her bag. Once in Biarritz, they are always available for the students and are so caring and supportive. There is also a blog that is maintained throughout the program that I thoroughly appreciated!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My daughter's host family were a lovely, welcoming elderly couple with no kids that basically became her mom and dad while she was in Biarritz. No complaints here :)

Food was wonderful!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

SPI did an excellent job of making sure all students received a proper introduction to the culture, and all activities that are done are designed to get students integrated in the language and culture. Awesome aspect of the program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Thankfully my daughter didn't have any health scares while abroad.

I was, of course, nervous to send my sixteen year-old daughter abroad for the first time! But again, SPI really put my mind at ease concerning this. The program is very safe (Biarritz is a small city with virtually no crime rate) and students are required to abide by a curfew during the week and on weekends.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

SPI recommends a weekly budget that is very easy to stay within.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Again, this is one of the best aspects of the program - SPI really encourages students to use their language skills for the better part of each day.

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• Host Family

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• Host family was absolutely perfect
• The language classes are designed to help students with their speaking, not so much of a focus on grammar
• All cultural activities are excellent

• Nothing other than the fact that 2 weeks isn't a long enough stay for anyone - go for the 4 week! Wish we would have done this, in retrospect.