Once in a life time experience painting in the south of France Past Review
By Maddison P (Denison University) - abroad from 01/28/2013 to 05/18/2013 with
Institute for American Universities (IAU): The Marchutz School of Fine Arts, Aix-en-Provence, France
I learned so much about art and how to see the world. I gained independence, saw the world in a whole new light, and learned more than I ever thought I would. The best 5 months of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
My host mom generally cooked well. But the amazing food came from the lunches I put together from the bakeries and markets in the city! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't have much contact with French students, but my host mom included me in her family and I felt like a member of her family the entire time I was in Aix. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Aix is an extremely safe town. I always felt safe at night, but it did't hurt to have a French cell phone so that I didn't have to worry in case of an emergency (which never happened). |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be aware of where you are spending your money! You don't have to eat a fancy lunch every day, sometimes just a homemade sandwich will do. Just remember to treat yourself every once in a while to a nice dinner with your friends! |
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 |
I spoke only French with my host mom, but the majority of my classes where in English. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just keep practicing French while you're there! Don't shy away from the valuable speaking time! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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 wish I knew how much I would love it, so that I could plan to stay longer! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
