IES NANTES-an unforgettable experience Past Review
By Tess H (Sociology, French, Women Studies, DePauw University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/10/2013 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
This was one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life. I will never forget my time abroad, my host family, the friends I made and who I've kept in touch with. I learned to express myself in another language about things I'm passionate about (specifically women's issues) which was a very cool experience for me.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Sociology of the Family |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 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 |
The staff at IES were amazing and really took the time to get to know each student individually. If you needed to speak about anything they were always open to listening and problem solving. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My home stay defined my incredible study abroad experience. My host family was amazing in every way imaginable and I truly felt as though I was a part of their family. |
| * Food: |
The meals I ate with my host family were always great. If I didn't eat a certain food they were very accommodating (i.e. not a huge fan of sea food). But I was always open to trying new thing as well to get the most out of my study abroad experience. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
VERY INTEGRATED. IES Nantes organized a conversation club for an hour each Tuesday where French natives from the University would come and |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had two sinus infections during my time abroad and had no troubles whatsoever receiving medical attention. |
| * Safety: |
I went abroad to Paris for 6 weeks after my Freshman year of college, and Nantes felt more safe than Paris because of it's smaller size. My host family provided me with certain routes to take late at night so that I wouldn't run into any trouble. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | HAVE SUMMER JOBS to help pay for your time abroad! |
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 |
There was a French only rule in the IES building which was a really great way to practice French with other American studies of all different ability levels. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 300-Conversation and Phonetics |
| 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? | Go to language tables at your University, Rosetta Stone, watch French movies with French subtitles!! |
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? | That there is a bit of an adjustment period upon arrival, and to allow yourself/give yourself time to adjust. Not only the time difference that you hear about, but also just feeling a bit alone if no one from your University chooses the same program as you. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
