IES Nantes: an unforgettable semester Past Review
By Iggy Takahashi (University of Portland) - abroad from 01/06/2016 to 05/06/2016 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I gained more knowledge about France and Europe, as well as a more global perspective on some important issues like the Brexit and French politics. I met a wide variety of personalities that I though I would have clashed with, but ended up being very comparable as friends. My French greatly improved, showing that this immersion program was well worth it.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being in a home stay was recommended to me, and I definitely recommend it to others. |
| * Food: |
Before going abroad, I thought my dietary restrictions (vegetarian and food allergies) would be a problem, but they caused me no troubles at all! |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Even during the somewhat violent protests that happened down the block from my home and from the center, the staff made sure students knew what to do to stay safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The immersion experience was incredible and I would highly recommend it |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up and be frugal! Only buy necessities, but splurge and enjoy yourself |
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 center had a "French only" rule which helped force us to use the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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 401 |
| 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? | Only speak in French at the center, save English for when you are out with your friends |
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? | Pack lightly! It's very likely you will want to buy souvenirs or clothes while abroad, so pack the essentials and be minimalistic when packing. |
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! |
