Study Abroad in France: Best Time of My Life Past Review
By A student (University of Portland) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 12/16/2016 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Primarily, I think the language was the most important aspect of my time abroad. Along with the travel, the classes, and the friendships, becoming challenged in a foreign language and being able to progress in that was one of the most rewarding parts of my experience. I think in general just being challenged to a new lifestyle was something I gained because it was an amazing time to feel so happy being out of my comfort zone.
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? |
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| * Food: |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would definitely chose IES again. For me, being in a host family and the classes I were taking were exactly what I wanted out of my abroad experience. I was really thankful that IES was accommodating and helpful throughout my semester. |
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? | About $100 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would advise future study-abroad participants to firstly be aware of additional costs of lunches and looking into the exchange rate between the home versus host country. Secondly, I think making a budget prior to visiting that allows you to allocate the amount of money you are okay with spending each week and always over-estimating what you will spend. |
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 |
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| 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? | Sophomore level French (302 level) |
| 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? | I would advise future students to try not to be too intimidated or discouraged right away and to surround themselves with people that are encouraging in their language pursuits rather than those who make them feel as though they aren't as advanced. The key is to try! The more you try the more you are able to learn from your mistakes and therefore improve. |
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? | I think that more or less I was really well prepared for this program. Overall, I would have liked to have had a more guided way to obtain a Visa and travel information, but I don't think any of that could have been controlled by the program. |
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