Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Semester of a Lifetime Past Review

By (French, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 05/09/2015 with

IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot not only about a foreign culture, but also about myself. Studying abroad challenged me in ways that no other experience has, and it pushed me to open my mind to different ways of viewing and experiencing the world. I also became much more independent than I had been when I arrived.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program provides good academic resources and support for its students.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The IES center staff were incredibly devoted to the program and to the success and well-being of their students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a lovely host family, and greatly appreciated all of the work that the IES center put into finding welcoming homes for its students.

* Food:

I really appreciated that breakfasts and five dinners a week were included in the housing arrangements. The shared meals are a great opportunity to get to know your host family and practice your language skills.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

IES provides a number of social outings, including weekly conversation club meetings (between IES and French students), that give IES students the chance to meet local students and community members.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a minor health problem arise within a couple weeks of arrival, and the IES center staff was incredibly helpful. The administrator in charge of health issues got me an appointment within a couple days of when I talked to her, the location was easy to get to, and the doctor spoke enough English that I could be sure there weren't any miscommunications.

* Safety:

The IES staff on location provided us with all the necessary safety advice and protocols, and I never felt unsafe or uneasy when returning home.

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)

It is fairly easy to keep grocery costs low, and the IES center provided a number of outings that were free or of a minimal cost. However, to eat out or go out with friends on the weekend, the costs were a little more substantial.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Before you go abroad, draw up a rough budget (make use of the sample budget provided by IES for your particular program) including all expenses you can foresee. Also consider setting a minimum for the amount of money your want left in your bank account at the end of your program. This will help keep you on track throughout the semester, but realize your budget might have to be adjusted as you go.

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

The IES Nantes program requires students to use French while in the IES center, and all the students live with host families with whom they must speak 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? I had completed all of my university's language and grammar focused French courses before departure.
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? Do not be afraid to make mistakes. You cannot improve if you do not regularly use the language, so remember that the program staff and host families are very patient and willing to help students practice their language skills - they do not mind if you make mistakes, they simply appreciate that you make the effort to speak the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • The extensive language and cultural immersion.
  • The wide variety of activities organized by IES.
* What could be improved?
  • The integration of semester-long and full year students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had been fully prepared for the amount of work needed to develop friendships with local students.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!