Nantes: A true home away from home Past Review

By Preston M (Psychology, Geography, The University of Texas at Austin) for

IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Being in Nantes influenced me to want to come back after college to teach for a year. I learned about the enormous influence that the States have on Europe. I experienced the unifying nature that all people have regardless of the language they speak.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	There was generally less work during the week. Most classes had only one or two exams with one research paper.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	The program had a great facility close to the center of town, and the staff was always knowledgable and willing to help us with any problems. The IES staff exceeded my expectations.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family was the best part of my experience in France. They spoke French with me every day and never mocked me for making mistakes. The neighborhood was safe and close to public transportation. I was treated like another son, not like a houseguest.
* Food:	The food tasted great, but sometimes it felt like I was always hungry because I was used to eating such bigger portions in the States.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	We went on trips all across the western coast of France and saw sights that I would not have seen without going with my program.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	There were no problems with safety, but every student was required to get a chest XRAY for the French government.
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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	4th semester
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	I spoke French every single day in every aspect of life. I spoke in French with my professors, host family, and shop keepers. Almost no one in my city spoke English, except for the other American students.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Do one thing every day that scares you- Eleanor Roosevelt. Students who want to speak French in every aspect of their lives, who want to expand their comfort zone, should study abroad in Nantes.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Geography and Developpment in Third World Countries
Course Department:	Geography
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This class was taught at the University with other French students. The class was 3 hours two days a week, but the professor let the IES students go to just one day a week if they wanted. The professors were very helpful and communicated well with the American students. There was one exam and one oral presentation, the same exam as the French students. The material was primarily about characteristics of developping countries and less about traditional geography.
Credit Transfer Issues:	None yet

Course Name/Rating:	French Classicism: Art and Architecture
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	The class focused on 17th and 18th century artists, mainly French. We visited le Musee des Beaux Arts in Nantes at least 5 times to analyze different techniques used in the paintings. The professor was very knowledgable and passionate about the subject. There were two exams and one research paper.
Credit Transfer Issues:	None

Course Name/Rating:	Traduction
Course Department:	French
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	This class was taught at the University, but it was half American students and half French students. The professor speaks French and English fluently. Each class is devoted to translating a literary passage from French-English or English-French. The class was helpful because we translated ideas, not words-for-words. There were two exams and two homework assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues:	None

Course Name/Rating:	French
Course Department:	French
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	The class was basically a review of basic French grammar, but the professor was really nice. We read and discussed French newspaper articles each class. There were about 4 exams, but the professor was very helpful with reviewing.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I had to talk with the head of the French department to register for a higher level French class at UT before my classes were transferred.

Course Name/Rating:	Contemporary French Society
Course Department:	Sociology
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	French
Comments:	We focused mainly on the "french identity" and family life/divorce/retirement. It was less about sociology and more about French culture. There were two exams and one research paper. The professor was very foreign-student friendly, but the ideas taught in class had more of a french rythem and were scattered.
Credit Transfer Issues:	None