An Amazing and Formative Academic Year Abroad Past Review
By Jack F (Political Science and Government., Northwestern University) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 05/09/2014 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
My language skills improved ten-fold. I feel completely comfortable conversing with people in French. I made amazing friends and met some great academic mentors. Nantes feels lil a home away from home.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Taking classes at the local university was a huge plus, the professors and academic advisors were of excellent quality. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators were really nice and accommodating, especially when I had questions and concerns. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing. They were extremely nice and welcoming, they incorporated me into their family events but gave me all of the autonomy that I needed. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. |
| * Food: |
As a vegetarian, it was sometimes a challenge to find appropriate foods. But my host family was extremely accommodating and the food in Nantes was amazingly fresh and delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
In Nantes there is no substitute for becoming integrated with the local culture. It has a small town feel and is very, very French. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any significant health issues, but had to see the doctor a few times. The program administrators made this process painless. |
| * Safety: |
Some of the local citizens can be pretty pushy and a little overbearing. Although I would say it's best to stick in a group after dark, I never felt unsafe. |
| 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) |
France is expensive, and you can spend a lot of money on clothing and travel if you want to. Food isn't necessarily cheap, but with the host family arrangements and a little bit of frugality it is quite easy to get by with minimal costs. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan travel early in the semester, as flight prices go up. Travel lightly! You will take way more stuff than you need, and it can get difficult and pricey to carry it all over Europe. |
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 |
English was absolutely forbidden in the study abroad center and the host families. I never had a conversation in English with a member of my family or the administration. |
| 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? | French Writing Workshop (course immediately following completion of second-year, basic French) |
| 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? | Speak French everyday. Watch videos on Youtube and listen to songs/films with subtitles. Listening and speaking everyday is the only way to improve. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | It is challenging but totally worth it. Don't second guess yourself. |
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.' |
