Nantes - I'd Choose it Again in a Heartbeat Past Review
By Kathryn L (Chemistry., Hope College) for
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
A lot more open minded now, open to more experiences. I feel like I can do anything now that I learned a new language and spent five months living in a foreign country. I may even consider being a translator.
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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 |
The program overall was very well organized, the staff dedicated, and daily life well executed. Everyone was very experienced, patient, and knowledgeable about what we were going through. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom lives on her own since her kids are grown and gone, but she hosts students all the time. Life around the house was quiet, and sometimes I felt more like a boarder than a part of the family, but I was happy with it. The neighborhood was plenty safe, actually the whole city was pretty safe, I walked home in the dark across the city once and was fine (not that I'd suggest making that a habit). The house looked small on the outside but was surprisingly spacious inside and very comfortable. I had a room and a bathroom to myself (don't count on that though, I was spoiled). Meals were delicious and my host mom was helpful. I didn't need to purchase anything major, just the usual bathroom and shower stuff. |
| * Food: |
University cafeteria is always a good idea. Host families are almost guaranteed to make delicious meals. Despite popular belief, the French don't all live off of fois gras and snails, but you'll probably be eating a lot of different stuff from what you're used to. I found that keeping an open mind and eating anything that's put in front of you helps a ton. I recommend creperies for restaurants - they're beyond delicious. Try the Heb Ken, the crepes are great and the staff is very accommodating to those with perhaps less than perfect French! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All of the field trips were worthwhile, particularly the Beaches of Normandy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city itself feels very safe. I never got sick while I was there, so I don't know much about the healthcare system. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | It really depends on how much going out you do. I usually bought a week's worth of groceries for lunch - bread, cheese, ham, some snacks and desserts - for less than twenty euros. But then there's always random spendings here and there, plus the translation from euros to dollars. Just keep an eye on your bank account. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money for souvenirs and vacations. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French Grammar 4 and a Grammar/Conversation Class |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I was a bit shy, but I definitely learned the language. My host mom and I had conversations every night over dinner, and the Institute enforced a strict french-only rule. Students were often tempted to relax and speak english, but professors stuck to the rule, and by the end of the semester I could understand 95% of what they were saying in class. Nantes isn't a very tourist-y city, so not many people spoke fluent english, as compared to a place like Paris. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Anyone who has an open mind and is brave enough to take a leap of faith for a culture they love is someone for this program. |
