An exciting exchange program Past Review
By A student (Political Science, Truman State University) - abroad from 01/09/2015 to 05/19/2015 with
ISEP Exchange: Grenoble - Exchange Program at Université Grenoble Alpes
I learned a lot of problem solving skills, had a lot of great travel experiences and ate awesome food. Definitely worthwhile.
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. |
Courses in France are much less time consuming |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were a lot of time consuming bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Also, the administration failed to give us a lot of basic information about how the courses functioned. Everyone was very nice though and always tried to help. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The living arrangements were small, with a shared coed bathroom and shared kitchen (two hot plates). However, this accommodation was very cheap and nicer arrangements were available for a bit of a higher price. |
| * Food: |
The dining hall was good and cheap. There were lots of good food options on campus (sandwiches, fast food, a coffee shop, a bar). The reason I don't have a higher rating is that facilities were only open for lunch and closed in evenings and on weekends. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Most of my friends were other international students, although the school had a very good international student group that made me feel welcome. The town of Grenoble was super nice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any health issues |
| * Safety: |
In France, you get harassed a bit more as a woman in public. However I was never physically threatened. |
| 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) |
There was a nearby grocery store with reasonably priced food. There is also a student discount available for the tram system. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are willing to, live in the cheapest accomodations possible. You can live anywhere for a few months! And you won't remember the time spent in your dorm room, you'll remember the fun trips you went on! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
My classes were all in French, however I didnt speak much French outside of the classroom. Additionally, there is not much participation in French classes so mostly my comprehension benefitted. |
| 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 classes |
| 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? | Try to make French friends |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew which classes I would be able to take, but that is not really possible at a French university |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
