An international experience Past Review

By (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/01/2012 to 07/05/2012 with

INSA de Toulouse: Toulouse - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics were not very difficult, made an A in the lass

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was a terrible experience working with the French staff

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms are nice but are VERY far away from the city and working with the housing staff was again, terrible.

* Food:

Only two cafeterias open at random times. Food was repetitive and not that great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We weren't really in the city so it was just like being at another University in America.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt safe, but there were a few incidents were people we're harassed late at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $70
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your travel early.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Learn beforehand

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I enjoyed the easy classes and short weeks
* What could be improved?
  • The structure of the homework needs to be improved
  • The location of the university needs to be changed
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I wouldn't be near the city of Toulouse