"Wherever you are, be ALL there."~ Jim Elliot Past Review
By A student (BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES., Hope College) - abroad from 06/18/2012 to 07/28/2012 with
IES Abroad: Arles - IES Abroad in Arles
I think it would take more effort not to learn anything or make it not worthwhile. You gain irreplaceable memories, stories, friends, and experiences. It increased my love for traveling and learning about other languages and cultures. It helps one reflect on one's own culture and country.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The coordinators, teachers, and student aids, were all kind, fun, and worked so that we could get the most out of any experience. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I felt very fortunate to live both near the center of town and also the program center. My host mother, her family, and friends, were all very kind, generous, and always had a good time. |
| * Food: |
Enjoy it while you can! There was a market every Wednesday and Saturday overflowing with fresh foods from the country or imported. It was hard not to have a "la glace" everyday, just to try all of the different flavors! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Despite being a 'smaller' town, Arles is very busy during the summer months due to various art festivals and events. This means tourists from all over the world are in town and usually travel in large groups so some areas of town tend to be more crowded than others. The locals can immediately tell if you're from out of town or a local, but they are were all very kind. Occasionally there would be a server or shop owner who would only speak to you in English, but most others appreciated the effort of speaking in French. The summertime was a great social experience due the sheer number and great mix of people visiting Arles, one just has to have the confidence to strike up conversations and go to many events. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I experienced what the French call "l'insolation", which resulted from dehydration and sensitivity to the strong Mediterranean sun. The administrators were very helpful in arranging a visit to the doctor and helping with any terminology or expressions to describe how we were feeling to the doctor. The doctors and pharmacists were very kind and helpful. The cost of the medicine was inexpensive and I was reimbursed by mailing in the prescription and receipt to the health insurance company upon returning to the States. Overall, there were no issues and everything was handled in a careful and timely manner. |
| * Safety: |
It seemed very safe, but, like always, it is wise not to walk home alone very late at night, especially if you live outside the center of town. Any further problems that may arise were covered at the on-site orientation. |
| 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) |
During the summer, prices of attractions, restaurants, etc. tend to be higher. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Depending on the week, between 80-130 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to buy things at the market and cook for yourself or just taste your way through the market. If you have an international student card, this can help you get a reduced fee or free admittance into some museums, events, attractions, etc. If you plan on traveling a lot, look into a student or youth rail pass, the card will soon pay for itself and you can get major discounts. |
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 |
From the moment we reached the program center, our administrators were adamant about speaking French. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 level classes being Major level, I had taken multiple 300+ courses prior to departure |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Before leaving, try watching some movies in the language you are studying and use subtitles. A great deal of communication is non-verbal and you can pick up on certain expressions or mannerisms. It is a great way to develop deductive skills that help when listening and having conversation once you're abroad. Find a vocabulary sheet or book with travel specific terminology! That way you can quickly and efficiently get yourself from the airport to your destination. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To take my idea of traveling light and take half as much. There were students with suitcases that could fit two people inside. Too much trouble and not worth the struggle. Depending on where you are staying and how long you are staying, pack the essentials, but remember that once you're in the city you'll be in, you'll want room for souvenirs, new clothes, and purchases. Be attentive to the weather for a few weeks before you leave so you know what to expect and pack accordingly. Don't be afraid to go out on a ledge. You're in a place where absolutely everything is a brand new experience, so why not try as much as you can, meet new people, try new foods. Most of all, go with an open mind and make an effort. I have heard the horror stories and bad experiences of encountering unpleasant people, but if you are kind, respectful, open, curious, and show an effort to learn and converse, I think more often than not, locals will be willing to open up. |
