Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A crazy, wonderful experience that I will forever cherish Past Review

By (University of Southern Indiana) - abroad from 08/29/2017 to 12/23/2017 with

ISEP Exchange: Caen - Exchange Program at Université de Caen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about myself, French culture, and the world. I had classes with students from around the world, hearing about their countries and experiences was fascinating.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Cedric Guern is amazing, he had the answers to almost all of my questions

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It is definitely different. Coming from an American university, we are very spoiled.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

ISEP coordinators were helpful and the cost was reasonable.

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? 60-80 Euro

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? FREN 307
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? Make friends with natives and hang out with them.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?
  • Global experience in a foreign language
* What could be improved?
  • The communication between administration, professors, and students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A country does not always represent its people. As I talked to foreigners about their countries and their thoughts on mine, both sides were very surprised. As Americans, we hear news of foreign countries such as Syria and we get a bad taste in our mouths, speaking to Syrians about what they have gone through and their thoughts is truly an amazing conversation. It will change your thoughts a lot.

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Litterature
Course Department: DUEF B12
Instructor: Gwenaelle Ledot
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This class was fascinating and I looked forward to having it every week. This professor went above and beyond the duty of teaching. One of my friends was sick and this professor personally drove her to the pharmacy. This professor is truly amazing and inspiring.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Communication oral and writing
Course Department: DUEF B12
Instructor: Iwona Levittoux
Instruction Language: French
Comments: This was supposed to be a communication class, a course in which we are supposed to learn how to communicate with each other in our target language. This professor lectured and when we had the opportunity to talk, she interrupted or reworded it so that it wasn't even what we wanted to say. She would lecture about grammar (a separate course entirely) and disagree with our grammar professor. I was very bored and felt as though I had no opportunity to learn. To make things worse I had her for 10 credit hours out of my 30.
Credit Transfer Issues: