A perfect fit! Past Review
By A student (Pomona College) - abroad from 01/05/2016 to 05/07/2016 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
The biggest gain was the improvement in my French skills, and it was absolutely worth it! It's hard at first; expect that. You'll be a little culture shocked, homesick, and exhausted. But it's so so worth it to get to know a new country, new people, and be welcomed into a new family.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Moderate academic rigor, plenty of resources. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was amazing!! They truly treated me like a part of their family. |
| * Food: |
My host mom was a great cook! And she asked me ahead of time what foods I liked and didn't like and would cook accordingly. However, she also sometimes would prepare dishes that I thought I might not like and helped stretch my tastes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not personally applicable, but some of my fellow program participants had a few problems. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe in my experience! But just be smart about where you go, when you go, and with whom. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program was exactly what I was looking for: full French immersion with moderate academic rigor that both challenged me but gave me wiggle room to enjoy and experience France and Europe. |
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) |
I didn't have extreme monetary constraints, so I budgeted myself $100 per week to spend on food, entertainment, etc. But I knew people with huge money constraints, and they did just fine. Your food is provided by your host family for the most part, but life is typically more enjoyable if you have some money to spend on fun things. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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 |
We were required to speak French at the IES center and with our host parents (they don't speak any English). |
| 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? | 101 |
| 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? | Talk with your host family as much as you possibly can. Also, find friends in the program that are committed to practicing the language outside of class and hang out with the (especially helpful on your vacations). |
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? | Expect to be exhausted, but don't let it discourage you. Don't try to do every single thing you can (unless you're one of those people who can get by on practically no sleep). Don't expect a vacation; expect to find a new home. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
