IDRAC: A Challenging and Fun Growing Experience Past Review
By Kati T (Business Administration, Management and Operations., Presbyterian College) for
IDRAC: International School of Business: Lyon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes. I am so glad that I got this experience. It really made me grow up and learn to do things on my own. There are things that I wish would have been differently, but overall, all the challenges that I went through made me a better person. I think this experience really gave me an advantage when it comes to getting a job because I know that I can be placed in an uncomfortable situation and make the best of it.
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 workload was a lot less than what I am used to at my home institution. The grading system was very odd especially since it was never possible to get a 20/20. I don't feel like I was ever very comfortable to talk to my professors about any problems that I had. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The host country definitely had support services, but I don't think they were as easily accessible as they should have been. They would always get things done, but it took time to get things accomplished. The program size was not very large, but it was average. I don't think I had many expectations before going to France. I was not sure what to expect. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was very nice. I always felt very safe and never had any issues. We were as close to the subway as we could have ever asked for, therefore it was very close to school and we did not have to go far for the nightlife. Thankfully, a french family was nice enough to lend us sheets, cookware, etc. |
| * Food: |
I had to buy all of my own food, but the food was wonderful. The school cafe was a very affordable and tasty place for lunch. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school offered a few field trips that were very interesting. There were many events almost every-weekend that were arranged by students at the school. There is always something that anyone can find to do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Lyon is a very safe city. I never felt like I was in any sort of danger at any point of my trip. My advice would is to be smart and travel in groups. Try not to go anywhere by yourself. If you go out in a group of 5 then come in as a group of 5. I never had to use the healthcare but I have heard that it is easily accessible. I did not need any specific vaccines for the program. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was able to practice French with friends and my french professor. I definitely had to use French on a daily basis, so my french improved very much. Mostly everyone did speak English which helped a lot. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Really make sure that it is definitely the country that you want to go to and also talk about other options. |
