An Amazing Opportunity Past Review
By Azelia T (Psychology and French, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
Nantes is the perfect city if you want to improve your french skills. Most people don't speak English so you are forced to speak in french. It's big enough so there's always something to do but small enough so that it's not overwhelming. IES does a great job of immersing you in the culture and the program is very organized and the staff is friendly and supportive. It was absolutely worthwhile and I can't wait to return.
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. |
The classes were taught entirely in french and you also have the opportunity to take classes at the university with french students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was friendly and supportive, and they were always willing to help if you had a problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Each student is placed with a host family, which really immerses you in the culture and helps you improve your french. Most host families have been hosting students for years so they know what to expect. |
| * Food: |
French food is always well-prepared and fresh, and the pastries are delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family helps you integrate into the culture. You can also take classes at the university and IES also offers conversation club if you're looking for a way to meet more french students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues but from what I've heard, no one had any problems with the health system. |
| * Safety: |
Nantes is a safe city and I never had any problems when I stayed out late. However, it is a city and some people are opportunists so use common sense. |
| 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. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to eat out a lot; it adds up quickly. Instead eat with your host family and buy groceries for lunch and store them in the IES kitchen. Buy a carte jeune from the SNCF store so you can save money on train tickets. Try and find a job tutoring English, so you can make some money while you're there. |
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 |
The IES center had a french-only policy, all classes were taught in french, and you lived with a french host family. They always encouraged you to speak french. |
| 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 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Watch movies and listen to songs in french because it'll help you learn conversational french, which is useful for everyday speaking. |
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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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? | I wish I knew how expensive studying abroad would be. Travel more at the beginning of the semester because you have more time and you'll be less busy with classes. |
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. |
