An Unforgettable & Invaluable Experience! Past Review
By A student (Communication & French, Tulane University) - abroad from 09/05/2015 to 12/20/2015 with
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was 100% worthwhile- I became as close to fluent in French as I could hope to become while studying abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors were extremely qualified and approachable. The content was challenging, especially considering it was all in French, but the workload was ultimately manageable. |
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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? |
My experience living with my host family was the cornerstone of my study abroad experience. My French improved drastically thanks to the kindness and patience of my host mom particularly. Learning how to immerse yourself in French culture and tradition by becoming a functioning member of a French household was invaluable. |
| * Food: |
My host mom made amazing meals!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In the beginning, it was certainly a challenge to feel integrated, especially considering the American stigma. That being said, Provençal people are extremely friendly if you make the effort to speak French and connect with them on a personal level. Once I started to make friends, I began feeling more and more seamlessly integrated with the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was fortunate enough to only get a couple of colds whilst abroad, and for minor illnesses healthcare was accessible thanks to a plethora of pharmacies. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe navigating Aix-en-Provence, simply using my common sense of basic street smarts I never encountered any worrisome problems. |
| 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 |
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| 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? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I now realize how unique and once-in-a-lifetime an experience like this is. Living with a host family and taking classes in such a supportive and nurturing environment are definitely opportunities you can't take for granted. |
