Pont-Aven: Whatever... It's Performance Art! Past Review
By Danielle D (Art History/Visual Arts, Barnard College) for
France Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
YES. My study abroad experience had a huge impact. I could literally feel the difference in my eyes when I returned and looked around. "It changed the way I see" is a silly claim to make, but I certainly felt that my perspective was wisened. It wasn't easy, at times, but it taught me a lot and allowed me to understand what I need to do in my last year at Barnard.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was strong in it's curricular and cultural immersion. Because it was a small program (23 students) situated in a small town, we were really able to focus on our individual studio art practices. I would say that the program could have found stronger faculty, especially in their critical studies department. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I enjoyed my host family. She was a little strange, but I was treated with respect and felt comfortable in my home. |
| * Food: |
I am a vegetarian with gluten sensitivities, and found that my dietary restrictions were easily met. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I LOVED the 22 other students in my program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Pont-Aven is a really really small and safe town. I did not personally have any experiences with the French healthcare system, but those who did seemed to be well taken care of. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $100 euro a week on food and personal expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pont-Aven is a tourist town, so things are more expensive than I initially anticipated. This is something important to keep in mind. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner's French I |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice the language in the town and with my host family, and found that I used my language skills in some capacity each day. Most people did not speak English outside of the school, so it was very useful. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would warn students that PASCA is not kidding when they tell you that it is an immerssive visual arts program in a small country town in Bretagne, France. That's what you are going to get. The student that would most benefit from this program is the student that truly wants to focus on their personal studio arts practice. They will get the most out of four months in the country. I know I did. |
