A personal and life-changing experience. Past Review
By A student (French, Linfield College) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I learned a lot of self-reliance and resourcefulness as well as a new sense of cultural intelligence.
Review Photos
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. |
Very intensive and in-depth. Teachers are very well-versed and helpful, as well as local staff. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I didn't really feel like my host family was a family, more like I was simply a tenant that happened to be American. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My host family threw out my Insulin packaging which had my prescription in it. Which was a problem. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, even during the events of November in Paris. |
| 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? | At least 50 euros a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as you can while preparing for a semester abroad! Plan flights and travel in advance. |
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 |
It was 100% in French so it was very intensive. |
| 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 302 |
| 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? | Practice outside the classroom. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That "host family" doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be around often. Or that they would have 6 cats when I'm allergic to them. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
