No More Comfort Zone Past Review
By Belkisa C (English, French, Truman State University) - abroad from 01/06/2014 to 05/16/2014 with
ISEP Exchange: Lille - Exchange Program at Lille III (Université Charles de Gaulle)
I learned that I have to put myself out there and risk looking like an idiot to learn something new about myself. Everything was so worthwhile and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
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. |
While the professors were very understanding towards international students, the process of finding and registering for classes was unorganized and the international office offered very little help. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There was no host coordinator--she was on maternity leave and no one had been found to replace her--and the international office told us several times that they were unable to help us with several issues we had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The residence was a short walk from campus, the metro, and a shopping center, so it was easy to get everywhere. I had my own room and it was a residence of international and French students so I interacted with people from many backgrounds. The management of the residence was a bit lax and there were several occasions were nobody was at the front desk or secretary's office, but most of the time they were okay. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
French people are so willing and so, so excited to introduce people to their culture! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to buy ISEP insurance that was invalid in France because of the French national health care and I had to buy French health care that was invalid because the process took too long and there was no one to help me through it. Essentially I paid to have no health care. |
| * Safety: |
The metro is like any other public transportation system in the world--you just have to keep yourself aware of your situation. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep a tight budget and write down every purchase you make, because it's easy to spend money when you don't know how much you have! And make sure you're generally aware of the exchange rate and that you account for that. |
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 |
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| 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? | 400 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes! It's how you learn and it's okay if people correct you! Offer to teach someone your language in exchange for tips on their language, it's a fun way to interact and learn more of the language. |
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? | Don't worry, you're going to grow and you'll love it! Take everything in stride and stop stressing so much. |
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.' |
