IES Abroad Nantes changed my life in the most positive manner, helping me define myself. Past Review
By Jose Ramon C (Economics with Financial Applications and Political Science, Southern Methodist University) for
IES Abroad: Nantes - French Language Immersion & Area Studies
Completely and unequivocally!
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. |
Obviously the teaching methods and educational system abroad vary from that of the U.S. Professors tend to expect more from their students and give them little homework. The expectation is that you are a mature adult who can manage their time appropriately. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was an excellent one, and I can say that having been the President of my class. I got to work with the administration to ensure that the program was going well and that the students smoothly transitioned into daily foreign life. A very accessible, organized, and friendly administration. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had the most amazing and inclusive host family ever! They conversed with me always and included me in their day to day activities as if I was one of the family. I went to mass with them and they invited me to their house in Brive-de-Gaillard in the center of France. |
| * Food: |
Obviously France has one of the best cuisine and the food was exceptionally delicious and healthy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Though the French in general are considered timid and sometimes unfriendly, it is up to you to immerse yourself and make friends. Go out of the way and meet people, go to social functions and public events. Throw yourself out there, what is the point of studying abroad than to get yourself out of your comfort zone. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Nantes is a very safe, crime-free city. I never felt unsafe or threatened and had a great stay. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My host family, my professors, my classmates, my friends, and the people living around me as I was in Nantes, France. Yes, the program is a language intensive, immersion program where it is mandatory to speak French while at the institute and where all classes are solely in French. Yes most people spoke English that were involved in the program but did not speak with you in English; the Nantais did not. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it! Get out of your comfort zone, learn the language you have been studying and reviewing for countless hours in class in the U.S. Where better than in the country of origin, France? |
