Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

This Is Not A Dream Past Review

By (Plan Ii Honors, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/25/2014 to 05/18/2014 with

Institute for American Universities (IAU): The Marchutz School of Fine Arts, Aix-en-Provence, France

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
- lifelong friends - a fresh perspective - studio art experience - philosophy on life

Review Photos

IAU College: Aix-en-Provence - The Marchutz School of Fine Arts Photo IAU College: Aix-en-Provence - The Marchutz School of Fine Arts Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

No complaints.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Ok, so i moved out of a homestay and found my own apartment. This made sense for me mostly because i have several dietary restrictions. I heard mixed reviews on the homestays that my friends were in, its kind of a toss up. I do envy the intensity of their cultural, food, language experience though.

* Food:

Like i said, i lived alone in my own apartment so i will comment only on the food availability in aix. MARKETS EVERY DAY. nice. Fresh veg and fruit awww yea

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The classes are with all american students, so you will have to reach out in order to meet french kids.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

chill

* Safety:

no worries here, safe place. Almost too safe

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)

Its how you want to play it. Aix is mad expensive - its a bougie town with nice restaurants and brasseries. Its easy to get carried away with spending. But if you need to pinch pennies then definitely possible: market food is cheap and great wine is available at accessible prices. honestly spent way more on travel during our breaks than during my time in Aix

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? N/A i lived outside of a homestay so i spend a bunch on food
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Market Cheap wine Dont buy clothes and shit - (aix is covered in boutiques, just refrain

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? i had lived in france for a year and taken up to 317 at UT
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? Get a french girlfriend/boyfriend or just friends

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Professors at the Marchutz school
  • The town of Aix (small, village size)
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • The attitude of some students: you are not here to rage (all the time), nor are you here simply as a landing pad to take photos at every major european monument.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Whilst travelling, dont let yourself get swept up in the frenzy to check off every western european capital. Go off the beaten track. Sink into nature or unique experiences. London and amsterdam arent all that (but they are pretty dope). Meet more french kids

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Art Criticism Seminar
Course Department: Fine Arts
Instructor: Gaspaurach and Roberts
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Really amazing experience. Intense and engaging readings led into rigorous discussions and examination of images. Deep thinking about the nature of art and of life itself.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

drawing and painting
Course Department: art
Instructor: gaspaurach and roberts
Instruction Language: english
Comments: awesome. We did life drawing, then portraits, then landscape painting, then culminated in a trip to paint in venice. John and alan were great tutors and the experience was phenomenal. I will say that if you choose to come paint with the Marchutz program be prepared for a "traditional" perspective, and make sure that you are open to experimenting with that particular line of thought. Look at the website to get an idea.
Credit Transfer Issues: