Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Nantes: An amazing experience! Past Review

By (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University / Virginia Tech) - abroad from 01/04/2017 to 05/06/2017 with

IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I want to live in France. I loved my time there so much that I decided to make it my goal to have a career in France.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

I had financial support from my family, so I did not worry too much about finances, but I never heard about other students having issues. The food is fairly inexpensive and the program costs cover most meals and housing.

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

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? Fluent

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • 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?
  • Homestay experience
  • The other students
  • The city (Nantes)
* What could be improved?
  • Orientation was very tiring, but fun, but with jetlag it was a bit much.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how fun this would have been, I would have done the year-long program!