Best semester ever! Past Review
By Grace Molloy (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
I improved my language skills and gained an understanding of a new culture and had the opportunity to live completely immersed in it for four amazing months. I also had the opportunity to travel around Europe as well.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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
There truly isn't a better option for language and culture immersion. It's an amazing city and I loved every minute of 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) |
Breakfast and five dinners a week are provided by the host family. The cost of the rest of the food in addition to travel, entertainment, etc. it can be a lot. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries and prepare your own lunches to save some money. Use student discounts wherever possible. Make sure to use good websites for flights like student universe. |
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? | French 251 |
| 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? | Meet the locals! Can't stress enough how important it is to actively use your language skills. Go to conversation club to practice and hang out with those students outside of IES as well. |
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? | The importance of brushing up your language skills before starting the program. You will need to be ready! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
