Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Everything is Nicer in Nice Past Review

By (Hope College) - abroad from 01/03/2018 to 04/29/2018 with

IES Abroad: Nice - Business, Sustainability & Immigration

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how independent and confident I can be! I can travel a new city on my own with only my phone and I'm completely fine! I've also learned that I can do things on my own without worrying about what everyone else is doing. You have to go out and see what you want to see regardless if anyone wants to go with you or not. You can't regret missing something just because no one else wanted to go with you

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a homestay, and while I learned a lot about the culture, I didn't click very well with my family. I wish that we could have been closer

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I reached out and joined a church, which gave me a few friends who lived in the city, but I think IES could do better bringing in some more cultural components or more options/partners for students to work with

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would choose the same program, however I would take what I have learned and try and dig deeper with the advisors and professors there to make more connections that would let me practice my French. I would try and connect more with my host family and find more natives to befriend. But I loved my program and Nice and everything about the city! I had a fantastic time there!

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25-30 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save your money before you go abroad! Budget yourself once you get there on how much you want to spend so that you can say yes to traveling to that new place. Fly on budget airlines, the cheap buses and take advantage of public transport. It's good to save as much as you can before you get there, but once you're there, don't let money hold you back from doing something. It's totally acceptable to come back from being abroad with a very low bank account!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We had both French class and then we met occasionally with peer partners to speak French. Also, our homestays. As a French minor I wish there were a few more opportunities to speak French but they did a good job for a non-immersive program!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level (third year)
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Know some basics of your language before you get there, and always try to speak. Natives won't care if you mess up, they will appreciate your effort and will help you along the way!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Options for housing, classes, ect.
  • That we didn't have classes on Friday so that we could make the most of our traveling around Europe if we wanted to
  • That we had some great field trips and classes but that they treated us like adults and truly cared about us
* What could be improved?
  • There could be more cultural/language components
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that I had the potential to have a host family that I didn't have a strong connection to. I wish I knew that I would have to take a little more control of my French learning as well.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!