Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Mystère et boule de gomme! AUCP: Marseille - Bridge to the Middle East Past Review

By (Grinnell College) - abroad from 09/09/2015 to 12/19/2013 with

France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
From this experience abroad, I learned to be independent; to cherish the simple moments in life when around a family; to make goals and to stick with them; to let yourself feel scared, happy or frustrated (always in French, of course); and to practice a foreign language always.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program was very strict in making the students speak French at all times, inside and outside classes. I really appreciated this full immersion experience because it allowed me to improve my oral and written skills exponentially. It also challenged me to keep a goal and follow it to the end, and even beyond.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed with a wonderful host family who supported me in understanding the culture and, indeed, the city itself. We would do a lot of activities together that made this great experience as I had never left home.

* Food:

Marseilles is an immense, cosmopolitan city. As such, one can find a lot of variety in what it offers to eat. I still believe that the best way to get to know a city is to explore even the smallest of shops searching for that one dish that will stick in your memory for always.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Even though the city was one of the biggest and most populated in France, I did feel safe traveling about, even at night. As one of my French friends told me, as long as you walk with confidence, you will be alright.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 American dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? While I do not have money-saving tips for future study-abroad participants per se, I would advice those students wanting to perfect their French to stay as close to a speaking city and maybe even travel around the area where you live. Not only will this save a lot more money than to travel by plane or train, but it will offer you constant practice to perfect your language skills.

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

The AUCP program in Marseilles was unique in that it required each student to sign a language contract in which said student pledged to speak only in French. By far, this was the best encouragement because it forced us to also police our peers and ourselves to actually follow that rule, for the benefit of everyone. Indeed, that contract reminded us that even though we were abroad in a very beautiful city, we were there to learn French.

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
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? I would advice every student wishing to study abroad to make a list of goals and ways to achieve those goals before going abroad. Furthermore, I would encourage every student to read articles out loud so as to improve one's oral and reading skills, if not, one's vocabulary skills. One article a day does add up by the end of four months, or more, if you chose to stay longer.

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?
  • The support given by my professors.
  • The fact that we stayed with a host family.
  • The amount of freedom we had to work on our French at our own pace.
* What could be improved?
  • I honestly cannot find anything wrong with the program as I believe that we as students are more responsible in making the program truly work.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish someone had told me to not bring too many things with you from America. Also, it is a really nice idea to bring a couple of presents to your host family and to people whom you will meet over the course of those months abroad.