Dream in Front of My Eyes Past Review
By Samantha (University of Portland) - abroad from 01/04/2017 to 05/05/2017 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I gained a lot of independence especially since I learned a lot about myself during my time abroad. By the end, I learned how to enjoy my own company (I am no longer afraid of doing things on my own). You get a different perspective on the world. Plus, I now consider myself fluent in french because of this experience. It was worth every minute and worth every single penny!!
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. |
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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: |
No Mexican food anywhere to be found in Nantes :( |
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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? |
Got sick twice and went to the doctor, but the process for prescriptions is very strict in France. They did not sell anything like Nyquil/Dayquil (I recommend just bringing some before you come). |
| * Safety: |
Never felt in danger (even when walking home alone at 1am). The city is for the most part very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I am someone who wants to travel the whole world. There is so many other places to see in the world. Besides, even if I chose to go back things will not only stay exactly as how they were when I left but my experience would be close to my experience from the semester abroad. I would go back disappointed. |
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) |
Things were pretty expensive, but food is cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep in mind the Euro is more expensive than the dollar. |
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 had to speak French....tout le temps!!! |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | FRN-497 |
| 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? | Speak speak SPEAK! Il faut parler! You have to get used to speaking the language. I spoke French 90% of the day every day (the other 10% was when I would call my family back home). |
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? | Can't think of anything..... maybe something I should have done was to take a business class in the local business school.... |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
